The disclosure features systems and methods for measuring and diagnosing target constituents bound to labeling particles in a sample. The systems include a radiation source, a sample holder, a detector configured to obtain one or more diffraction patterns of the sample each including information corresponding to optical properties of sample constituents, and an electronic processor configured to, for each of the one or more diffraction patterns: (a) analyze the diffraction pattern to obtain amplitude information and phase information corresponding to the sample constituents; (b) identify one or more particle-bound target sample constituents based on at least one of the amplitude information and the phase information; and (c) determine an amount of at least one of the particle-bound target sample constituents in the sample based on at least one of the amplitude information and the phase information.

The invention features methods of diagnosis by assessing B7-H1 expression in a tissue from a subject that has, or is suspected of having, cancer, methods of treatment with agents that interfere with B7-H1-receptor interaction, methods of selecting candidate subjects likely to benefit from cancer immunotherapy, and methods of inhibiting expression of B7-H1.

Described herein are methods of cancer diagnosis through monitoring the presence and activity of the KANSL1 gene, and particularly the effects of KANSL1 overexpression on specific histone acetylation. Cancer treatment with histone acetyltransferase inhibitors and deacetylase agents is also described.

Certain embodiments of the invention provide a method for identifying a cancer cell that is sensitive to a biguanide compound or other CYP epoxygenase inhibitor, comprising detecting increased expression of at least one cytochrome P450 (CYP) and/or decreased expression of soluble epoxide hydrolase (EPHX2) in the cancer cell, wherein increased CYP expression and/or decreased expression of EPHX2 in the cancer cell correlates with increased sensitivity of the cancer cell to the biguanide compound or other CYP epoxygenase inhibitor.

Use of phospho-Akt as a biomarker for predicting the response, such as resistance, to a compound, wherein phospho-Akt is Akt that has been phosphorylated on one or more residues, with the proviso that for Akt1, Akt2, and Akt3 the designation phospho-Akt is used to indicate phosphorylation at a site other than T308, T309 or T305 respectively, wherein the compound is a compound of general formula (I).

The present invention aims to elucidate a polynucleotide as a novel responsible gene for cancer and aims to thus provide a method for detecting the polynucleotide and a polypeptide encoded by the polynucleotide and a detection kit, a probe set, and a primer set for the detection. The present invention also aims to provide a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer. The method detects a fusion gene composed of a portion of an FGFR3 gene and a portion of a TACC3 gene or a fusion protein encoded by the fusion gene. The primer set, the probe set, or the detection kit comprises a sense primer and a probe set designed from the portion encoding FGFR3 and an antisense primer and a probe set designed from the portion encoding TACC3. Since an inhibitor of the polypeptide exhibits antitumor effect, a pharmaceutical composition for treating cancer which is positive for either the fusion gene or the polypeptide is provided.

An in vitro method for diagnosing a brain tumour in a human test subject comprising: determining the concentration of at least two metabolites comprised in a biofluid sample obtained from the human test subject; comparing the concentration of the at least two metabolites in the biofluid sample with the concentration of the same at least two metabolites in at least one reference standard obtained from a non-tumour bearing subject and/or a tumour bearing subject; and identifying a concentration difference for each of the at least two metabolites in the biofluid sample relative to the reference standard; wherein the concentration difference for each of the at least two metabolites in the biofluid sample correlates with the presence of a brain tumour. The invention also relates to a data-storage medium comprising data obtained by a method of the invention.

Provided are methods for screening a subject for cancer. The methods involve obtaining a blood sample from the subject and determining a level of Bridging Integrator 1 (BIN1) isoforms comprising exon 12a in the sample. Optionally, the method involves determining a level of 12a+/13 BIN isoform (comprising exon 12a but lacking exon 13) in the sample. An elevated level of 12a+(e.g., 12a+/13) BIN1 isoforms in the blood sample indicates the subject has cancer. Also provided are methods for determining efficacy of a cancer therapy in a subject and methods of treating cancer. Isolated antibodies that selectively bind human 12a+ BIN1 are also provided as well as kits for determining 12a+/13 BIN1 isoforms.

A method of treating cancer includes administering a first dose of radiation to a subject; determining a level of a biomarker obtained from the subject, the level indicating an immune response of the subject to the first dose; and not administering a second dose of radiation to the subject unless and until the level of the biomarker is beyond a threshold value.

Methods for diagnosis of bladder cancer are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to the use of urinary biomarkers for aiding diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of bladder cancer, and to a panel of biomarkers that can be used to distinguish high-grade bladder cancer from low-grade bladder cancer.