EZH2 Cancer Markers

Abstract

The present invention relates to therapeutic targets for cancer. In particular, the present invention relates to small molecules and nucleic acids that target EZH2 expression in prostate cancer.

1 . A method of inhibiting the growth of cells, comprising contacting a cell expressing EZH2 with a small molecule compound under conditions such that the expression of EZH2 in said cell is inhibited. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said small molecule is isoliquiritigenin. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cell is a cancer cell. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said cell is in an organism. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said organism is an animal. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said animal has been diagnosed with cancer. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said cancer is prostate cancer. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of breast cancer and bladder cancer. 
   
   
       9 . A method of inhibiting the growth of cells, comprising contacting a cell expressing EZH2 with a miRNA under conditions such that the expression of EZH2 in said cell is inhibited. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said miRNA is miR-101. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said cell is a cancer cell. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said cell is in an organism. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said organism is an animal. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said animal has been diagnosed with cancer. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said cancer is prostate cancer. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said cancer is selected from the group consisting of breast cancer and bladder cancer.