Patent ID: 6696241
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: C12Q,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for determining cancer in a human subject, comprising:a) obtaining ectocervix cells, and either endocervix or uterus endometrial cells from the subject; b) adding to the cells obtained in a) an esterase substrate that can be catalyzed by esterase potentially present in the cells to form a detectable cell-associatcd product; c) subsequently analyzing the cells in a device that measures the product (as distinct from the substrate in individual cells and d) correlating the ratio of product formed by the endocervix or endormetrail cells versus the product formed by the ectocervix cells with the likelihood that cells in the sample are cancerous, wherein a ratio of esterase activity in endocervix cells to ectocervix cells, or in endometrial cells to ectocervix cells, above about 4 indicates an increased likelihood that cells in the sample are cancerous.