Diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cancer

Abstract

Nucleic acid molecules useful in the treatment of cancer are provided. The nucleic acid molecules may include a short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule directed against fer mRNA. A kit for the treatment of cancer including a short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule of the presently described subject matter, as well as a pharmaceutical composition containing a short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule, is also provided. In addition, a method of treating cancer in an individual in which expression of fer in cells or tissues of an individual is inhibited using a short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule is provided.

1 . A compound 19 nucleobases in length comprising a nucleotide sequence having SEQ ID NO:7 with the proviso that the compound is not a nucleotide sequence having SEQ ID NO:2. 
     
     
         2 . A compound 19 nucleobases in length comprising a nucleotide sequence having SEQ ID NO:8 with the proviso that the compound is not a nucleotide sequence having SEQ ID NO:3. 
     
     
         3 . A short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule, comprising a duplex molecule of two compounds,
 wherein the first compound is a compound 19 nucleobases in length comprising a nucleotide sequence having SEQ ID NO:7,   and the second compound is a compound 19 nucleobases in length comprising a nucleotide sequence having SEQ ID NO:8,   with the proviso that the first compound and the second compound are not simultaneously a compound having SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3, respectively.   
     
     
         4 . A kit for the treatment of cancer comprising at least one short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule, said short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule being directed against fer mRNA, said short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule being the short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule of  claim 3 . 
     
     
         5 . A pharmaceutical preparation comprising at least one short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule, said short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule being directed against fer mRNA, said short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule being the short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule of  claim 3  and at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         6 . A method of treating cancer in an individual, comprising:
 inhibiting the expression of fer in cells or tissues of an individual,   wherein said inhibiting of expression of fer in cells or tissues of the individual is accomplished by degrading fer mRNA by providing the short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule of  claim 3  and directing the short interfering ribonucleic acid molecule of  claim 3  against fer mRNA.