Regulation of oncogenes by micrornas

Abstract

Naturally occurring miRNAs that regulate human oncogenes and methods of use thereof are described. Suitable nucleic acids for use in the methods and compositions described herein include, but are not limited to, pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, mature miRNA or fragments of variants thereof that retain the biological activity of the mature miRNA and DNA encoding a pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, mature miRNA, fragments or variants thereof, or regulatory elements of the miRNA. The compositions are administered to a subject prior to administration of a cytotoxic therapy in an amount effective to sensitize cells or tissues to be treated to the effects of the cytotoxic therapy.

1 . A method for increasing the sensitivity of a cell to cytotoxic therapy comprising administering one or more miRNAs to a patient, and subsequently administering a chemotherapeutic agent or radiation, wherein the one or more miRNAs are administered in an amount effective to sensitize the cells or tissues to be treated to the cytotoxic therapy. 
     
     
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