Patent ID: 7820390

Claim:
An in vitro PCR assay kit for determining whether or not an individual has metastatic colorectal cancer by detecting the presence of mRNA that encodes ST receptor protein in a test sample of extraintestinal tissue and/or body fluids from an individual, said kit comprising: a) a first container comprising PCR primers that specifically amplify mRNA that encodes ST receptor protein; b) a second container comprising a positive control sample, and c) instructions for using said kit, wherein said instructions indicate steps for i) performing a method to detect the presence of mRNA that encodes ST receptor protein in said test sample using PCR primers that specifically amplify mRNA that encodes ST receptor protein; ii) performing a method to detect the presence of mRNA that encodes ST receptor protein in said positive control sample using PCR primers that specifically amplify mRNA that encodes ST receptor protein; and iii) analyzing data generated by said methods, wherein said instructions indicate that the presence of mRNA that encodes ST receptor protein in said test sample is indicative of metastatic colorectal cancer.