Patent ID: 6916634

Claim:
A method for detecting inappropriate expression or over-expression of a non-mutated gene in a human or animal, the method comprising the steps of: a) extracting total RNA from plasma or serum from a human or animal, wherein a fraction of said extracted RNA comprises a RNA species from a non-mutated gene; b) amplifying to produce an amplified fragment or signal amplifying to produce an amplified signal of said fraction of the extracted RNA or cDNA produced therefrom, wherein amplification is performed either qualitatively or quantitatively using primers or probes specific for a portion of the nucleic acid sequence of said RNA or cDNA of said non-mutated genes; c) detecting the amplified fragment or amplified signal produced from the RNA or cDNA thereof, qualitatively or quantitatively, whereby qualitative or quantitative detection of said fragment or signal indicates inappropriate expression or over-expression of said non-mutated gene.