1. A method for detecting the absence of metastatic cancer comprising the steps of:
i) contacting a subject sample comprising epithelial cells andor lysates of epithelial cells from a primary tumour with a prognostic indicator comprising an antibody or a fragment thereof directed against osteopontin; and
ii) detecting the formation of any complex between the subject sample and prognostic indicator.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the prognostic indicator for metastases comprises an antibody directed against an osteopontin gene product.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2 wherein the antibody is directed against a peptide derived from osteopontin.
4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the peptide is derived from the amino acid terminus of osteopontin.
5. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence of at least 10 consecutive amino acids of SEQ ID No. 1.
6. A method as claimed in claim 5 wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence of 14 to 20 consecutive amino acids of SEQ ID No. 1.
7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 5 or 6 wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% homologous to SEQ ID No. 2.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the peptide comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% homologous to SEQ ID No. 2.
9. A method as claimed in any previous claim wherein the method of diagnosis is for metastatic breast cancer.
10. A vaccine against metastatic cancer comprising an antigenic peptide derived from osteopontin.
11. A vaccine as claimed in claim 10, wherein the vaccine is against metastatic breast cancer.
12. A vaccine as claimed in any one of claims 10 or 11 wherein the antigenic peptide is derived from the amino terminus of osteopontin.
13. A vaccine as claimed in any one of claims 11 or 12 wherein the antigenic peptide comprises an amino acid sequence of at least 10 consecutive amino acids of SEQ ID No. 1.
14. A vaccine as claimed in claim 13 wherein the antigenic peptide comprises an amino acid sequence of 14 to 20 consecutive amino acids of SEQ ID No. 1.
15. A vaccine as claimed in any one of claims 13 or 14 wherein the antigenic peptide comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID No. 2.
16. A vaccine as claimed in claim 15 wherein the antigenic peptide comprises an amino acid sequence which is at least 90% homologous to SEQ ID No. 2.
17. A vaccine as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 16 wherein the antigenic peptide is coupled to a carrier protein.
18. A vaccine as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 17 comprising an adjuvant.
19. A vaccine as claimed in claim 18 wherein the adjuvant is alum or Freund’s Complete.
20. A method for treating metastatic cancer comprising the steps of:
i) diagnosing metastasis as claimed in any one of claims 1-8; and
ii) administering a compound that blocks the expression andor function of osteopontin.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the compound is an antibody directed against osteopontin.
22. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the compound provides an antisense molecule that blocks translation of the osteopontin mRNAs.
23. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the compound provides a nucleic acid molecule that is complementary to the 5 region of the osteopontin gene and blocks transcription.
24. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the compound is a small molecule.
25. A method as claimed in claim 24 wherein the compound has a molecular weight which is 2 KDa or less.
26. A kit for diagnosing metastases as claimed in any one of claims 1-9 comprising a prognostic indicator and one or more of a visual indicator.
27. A method of diagnosis for metastatic cancer comprising the steps of:
i) contacting a subject sample comprising epithelial cells andor lysates of epithelial cells from a primary tumour with a prognostic indicator comprising an antibody or a fragment thereof directed against osteopontin; and
ii) detecting the formation of any complex between the subject sample and prognostic indicator.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1-8. (canceled)
9. A process for welding coated sheets, comprising:
producing on at least one side of at least a first sheet at least one topographical change projecting from the surface,
positioning the at least one first sheet and clamping it relative to at least one second sheet, such that at least one topographical change projecting from the surface defines a minimal spacing between the first and second sheets, the spacing being sufficient to allow vaporization products occurring during welding to escape,
checking in the area of the topographical change whether the at least two sheets are in contact with each other via the at least one topographical change projecting from the surface of at least one sheet.
10. The process according to claim 9, wherein the checking occurs within 10 cm from the topographical change.
11. The process according to claim 9, further comprising changing the clamping condition of the sheets when a defect area lacking contact is detected.
12. The process according to claim 9, wherein the checking involves measurement of ultrasound, capacitance, electrical resistance or eddy currents.
13. The process according to claim 9, wherein the checking occurs from one side of the sheets positioned against each other.
14. A device for welding coated sheets, the device including:
a welding device,
a positioning device,
a clamping device,
a device for checking the local contact of the sheets, and
a device for guiding the device for checking the local contact over the sheets.
15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the device for checking the local contact is at least one of a device for measuring ultrasound, capacitance, electrical resistance and eddy currents.
16. The device according to claim 14, wherein the device for guiding the device for checking the local contact over the sheet is a robot.