The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. In particular the invention provides the means and methods for the diagnosis, characterization, prognosis and treatment of cancer and specifically targeting cancer stem cells. The present invention provides a soluble FZD receptor comprising an extracellular domain of a human FZD receptor that inhibits growth of tumor cells. The present invention still further provides a soluble receptor comprising a Fri domain of a human FZD receptor that binds a ligand of a human FZD receptor and said soluble receptor is capable of inhibiting tumor growth. The present invention still further provides a method of treating cancer comprising administering a soluble FZD receptor comprising for example, either an extracellular domain of a human FZD receptor or a Fri domain of a human FZD receptor, in an amount effective to inhibit tumor growth.
本发明涉及表征、诊断和治疗癌症的组合物和方法。特别是本发明提供了诊断、表征、预后和治疗癌症的手段和方法,特别是针对癌症干细胞的手段和方法。本发明提供了一种可溶性 FZD 受体,它包含人类 FZD 受体的胞外结构域,可抑制肿瘤细胞的生长。本发明还进一步提供了一种包含人FZD受体的Fri结构域的可溶性受体,该受体结合人FZD受体的
配体,所述可溶性受体能够抑制肿瘤生长。本发明还进一步提供了一种治疗癌症的方法,该方法包括施用一种可溶性FZD受体,该受体包括例如人FZD受体的胞外结构域或人FZD受体的Fri结构域,其量可有效抑制肿瘤生长。