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Abstract

The invention relates to exploiting differences in androgen receptor gene amplification and expression of androgen receptor isoforms in various cell types such as, for example, prostate tumor cells. In one aspect, the invention provides a method for detecting unbalanced amplification of androgen receptor isoforms. Generally, the method includes receiving a biological sample obtained from a subject, the biological sample comprising cells expressing a plurality of non-wild-type androgen receptors, measuring the copy number of at least a polynucleotide encoding a first non-wild-type androgen receptor and a polynucleotide encoding a second non-wild-type androgen receptor, thereby producing an expression ratio, and identifying the sample as exhibiting unbalanced amplification of androgen receptor if the expression ratio is no less than a predetermined expression ratio. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of analyzing a biological sample from a subject. Generally, the method includes receiving the biological sample, the biological sample comprising cells expressing a plurality of androgen receptor isoforms, measuring expression of at least one androgen receptor isoform, and identifying the sample as exhibiting a predetermined pattern of androgen receptor isoform expression if at least one predetermined pattern of androgen receptor expression is detected.

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First Claim