Patent ID: 6953668

Claim:
A method of detecting micrometastic prostate tumor cells in a subject which comprises: a) obtaining a suitable sample of mRNA from the subject; b) contacting the mRNA sample under hybridizing conditions with a labeled nucleic acid probe which: (1) is at least 15 nucleotides in length and (2) hybridizes specifically to a nucleic acid having a sequence which is complementary to a sequence present in the sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO. 1; c) removing any unbound labeled nucleic acid probe; and d) detecting the presence of labeled nucleic acid probe hybridized to the mRNA; e) comparing the amount of labeled nucleic acid probe measured in step d) with an amount measured in a negative control sample which does not have micrometastic prostate tumor cells, wherein a higher amount measured in step d) compared to the amount measured in the control sample indicates the detection of micrometastic prostate tumor cells in the subject.