Reversal of cancer phenotype by inhibiting expression of prostate tumor inducing gene

Abstract

This invention provides a method for reversing cancer phenotype of a cancer cell which comprises introducing an exogenous material which is capable of specifically recognizing either a Prostate Tumor Inducing Gene, RNA of said gene or gene product of said gene into the cell under conditions permitting inhibition of the expression of said gene or function of said gene product so as to thereby reverse the cancerous phenotype of the cell. This invention also provides a method for reversing cancer phenotype of a cancer cell in a subject which comprises introducing an exogenous material which is capable of specifically recognizing a Prostate Tumor Inducing Gene, RNA of said gene or gene product of said gene into the subject's cancer cell under conditions permitting inhibition of the expression of said gene or function of said gene product in the subject's cell so as to thereby reverse the cancerous phenotype of the cell.

1 - 26  (canceled)  
     
     
         27 . A method for inhibiting the expression of a prostate tumor inducing gene product in a cell comprising introducing into said cell an antisense nucleic acid molecule capable of specifically recognizing a prostate tumor inducing gene under conditions wherein expression of the prostate tumor inducing gene product is inhibited.  
     
     
         28 . A method for inhibiting the expression of a prostate tumor inducing gene product in a cell comprising introducing into said cell an expression vector capable of expressing an antisense nucleic acid molecule capable of specifically recognizing a prostate tumor inducing gene under conditions wherein expression of the prostate tumor inducing gene product is inhibited.  
     
     
         29 . A method for reversing the cancer phenotype of a cancer cell comprising introducing into said cell an antisense nucleic acid molecule capable of specifically recognizing a prostate tumor inducing gene under conditions wherein expression of the prostate tumor inducing gene product is inhibited thereby resulting in a reversal of the cancer phenotype.  
     
     
         30 . A method for reversing the cancer phenotype of a cancer cell comprising introducing into said cell a vector capable of expressing a nucleic acid molecule capable of specifically recognizing a prostate tumor inducing gene wherein expression of the prostate tumor inducing gene product is inhibit thereby resulting in a reversal of the cancer phenotype.  
     
     
         31 . The method of claim  27 - 30  wherein the prostate tumor inducing gene is PTI-1.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the antisense nucleic acid molecule is complementary to the untranslated region of said prostate tumor inducing gene.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the anti-sense nucleic acid molecule is complementary to the 5′ untranslated region and the EF-1α region of the prostate tumor inducing gene.