Methods and compositions for inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of myc-driven tumor cells

Abstract

The invention generally relates to methods for identifying and using anticancer therapeutic agents and, more particularly, to methods for identifying and using inhibitors of genes for inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of MYC-driven tumor cells relative to normal cells.

1 . A method for inhibiting the growth and/or proliferation of an ovarian tumor cell having increased expression of a Myc transcription factor as compared to a non-tumor cell of the same cell type, comprising the step of contacting the tumor cell with at least one inhibitor that inhibits the gene product of a CRKRS gene. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tumor cell is contacted in vitro. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the tumor cell is contacted in vivo in a mammalian subject. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inhibitor is a small molecule inhibitor that inhibits the function of the gene product. 
     
     
         6 .- 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of treating a subject suffering from an ovarian tumor having increased expression of a Myc transcription factor as compared to a non-tumor cell of the same cell type, comprising administering to the subject an amount of a composition comprising an inhibitor that inhibits the gene product of a CRKRS gene and is effective to inhibit the growth and/or proliferation of the tumor cells. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the inhibitor is a small molecule inhibitor that inhibits the function of the gene product.