A novel gene designated P1B and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein P1B2 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I.
The P1B2 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with P1B2 can be used in active or passive immunization.
Worldwide, millions of people die from cancer every year. In the United States alone, as reported by the American Cancer Society, cancer causes the death of well over a half million people annually, with over 1.
While deaths from heart disease have been declining significantly, those resulting from cancer generally are on the rise. In the early part of the next century, cancer is predicted to become the leading cause of death.
Worldwide, several cancers stand out as the leading killers. In particular, carcinomas of the lung, prostate, breast, colon, pancreas, and ovary represent the primary causes of cancer death.
