The invention is directed to compositions and methods for the detection of
a malignant condition, and relates to the discovery of soluble forms of
mesothelin polypeptides, including mesothelin related antigen (MRA). In
particular the invention provides a nucleic acid sequence encoding MRA and
an MRA variant. The invention also provides a method of screening for the
presence of a malignant condition in a subject by detecting reactivity of
an antibody specific for a mesothelin polypeptide with a molecule
naturally occurring in soluble form in a sample from such a subject, and
by hybridization screening using an MRA nucleotide sequence, as well as
other related advantages.
