title: pRb2/p130: a gene target for diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
abstract: This application claims: i) a method for detecting cancer cells based on analysis of gene mutations and/or promoter methylation of the pRb2/p130 gene; ii) a method for diagnosing cancer based on analysis of gene mutations and/or promoter methylation of the pRb2/p130 gene; iii) a method for detection of cells that are predisposed to tumorigenesis based on analysis of gene mutations and/or promoter methylation of the pRb2/p130 gene; iv) a method for treating cancer and/or inhibiting tumorigenesis based on demethylation of the pRb2/p130 gene promoter; and v) a method for treating cancer and/or inhibiting tumorigenesis based on inhibition of other proteins that interact with or regulate pRb2/p130. This application is founded on the recognition that: i) pRb2/p130 is a frequent target of genetic or epigenetic alteration in various human cancers; ii) the resulting loss of regulation of cell cycle progression contributes to the phenotypic characteristics of these neoplasms; iii) pRb2/p130 represents a valuable biomarker for detection/diagnosis of some cancers; and iv) pRb2/p130 may be a useful gene target for development of new cancer therapeutics.
authors.affiliation: University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Curriculum in Toxicology, 515 Brinkhous-Bullitt Building, CB# 7525, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA +1 919 966 2699 ; +1 919 966 5046 ; william.coleman@pathology.unc.edu.
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Ashley G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Rivenbark