Patent ID: 6942985

Claim:
An in situ method of detecting invasion of neoplastic colorectal cells into the basement membrane of the laminapropia of an individual comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a sample of intestinal tissue which includes the basement membrane of the laminapropia; b) contacting said tissue with detectable anti-ST receptor antibodies or detectable ST receptor ligands for a time sufficient for said detectable anti-ST receptor antibodies or detectable ST receptor ligands to bind to ST receptor protein present in cells of said sample; c) removing unbound detectable anti-ST receptor antibodies or detectable ST receptor ligands from said sample; and d) examining said sample to detect the presence of detectable anti-ST receptor antibodies or detectable ST receptor ligands bound to ST receptor protein present in cells in the basement membrane of the laminapropia; wherein the presence of ST receptor protein in cells in the basement membrane of the laminapropia indicates invasion of neoplastic colorectal cells into the basement membrane of the laminapropia of an individual.