Methods for regulating the growth and/or survival of tumor cells and stem cells by modulating the expression or function of the transcription factors atf5

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for regulating the growth and/or survival of tumor cells and stem cells by modulating the expression or function of ATF5.

1 . A method for determining whether a subject has a tumor, comprising assaying a diagnostic sample of the subject for ATF5 level, wherein detection of an ATF5 level elevated above normal is diagnostic of a tumor in the subject. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tumor is a neural tumor. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the neural tumor is a neuroblasotoma. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the tumor is a breast, ovary, enometrium, gastric, colon, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, prostate, testis, skin, esophagus, tongue, mouth, partoid, larynx, pharynx, lymph node, or lung tumor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the ATF5 level corresponds to the amount of ATF5 protein, ATF5 mRNA, ATF5 cDNA, or ATF5-CRE interaction present in the diagnostic sample.