Methods for Diagnosing Prostate Cancer Using MicroRNAs

Abstract

Described herein are methods for treating prostate cancer using microRNAs. Also described are methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of solid cancers. Methods of identifying inhibitors of tumorigenesis are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of inhibiting tumorigenesis in a subject who has prostate cancer, comprising:
 a. determining the amount of at least one miR gene product in cancer cells from the subject, relative to control; and   b. altering the amount of miR gene product in the cancer cells by:   (i) administering to the subject an effective amount of at least one isolated or synthetic miRNA gene product, or an isolated variant or biologically-active fragment thereof, wherein the miRNA gene product is selected from the group consisting of: miR-128a prec; let-7a-2 prec; miR-218-2; miR-29a prec; miR-149; and miR-24-1; or   (ii) administering to the subject an effective amount of at least one compound for inhibiting expression of the at least one anti-miR gene product, wherein the anti-miRNA gene product is selected from the group consisting of: let-7d; miR-195; miR-203; miR-34a; miR-20a; miR-29a; miR-25; miR-95; miR-197; miR-135-2; miR-187; miR-196-1; miR-148; miR-191; miR-21; let-7i; miR-198; miR-199a-2; miR-30c; miR-17-5p; miR-92-2; miR-146; miR-181b-1; miR-196-1; miR-93-1; miR-223; miR-16-1; miR-101-1 prec; miR-124a-1; miR-26a-1; miR-214; miR-27a; miR-106a; and miR-199a-1;   c. such that tumorigenesis is inhibited in the subject.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising communicating the diagnosis to at least one person. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising communicating the diagnosis to at least one person. 
     
     
         4 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating a prostate cancer, comprising at least one isolated miR gene product, or an isolated variant or biologically-active fragment thereof, and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier; wherein the miRNA gene product is selected from the group consisting of : miR-128a prec; let-7a-2 prec; miR-218-2; miR-29a prec; miR-149; and miR-24-1. 
     
     
         5 . A pharmaceutical composition for treating a solid cancer, comprising at least one miR expression-inhibition compound and a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier; wherein the anti-miRNA gene product is selected from the group consisting of: let-7d; miR-195; miR-203; miR-34a; miR-20a; miR-29a; miR-25; miR-95; miR-197; miR-135-2; miR-187; miR-196-1; miR-148; miR-191; miR-21; let-7i; miR-198; miR-199a-2; miR-30c; miR-17-5p; miR-92-2; miR-146; miR-181b-1; miR-196-1; miR-93-1; miR-223; miR-16-1; miR-101-1 prec; miR-124a-1; miR-26a-1; miR-214; miR-27a; miR-106a; and miR-199a-1.