Novel non-coding rna, cancer target and compounds for cancer treatment

Abstract

The invention relates to the novel long non-coding BARD1 RNA molecule BARD1 9′L, siRNAs for therapeutic use and methods for the detection of BARD1 9′L as well as a promoters driving the expression of BARD1 9′L.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A BARD1 9′L RNA molecule comprising or consisting of Sequence 1. 
     
     
         2 . BARD1 9′L molecule according to  claim 1  characterized by additions or deletions, optionally at the 5′ or/and 3′ end from 5 to 1000 nucleotides. 
     
     
         3 . A method of treating cancer in a subject with an elevated BARD1 9′L, the method comprising administering an effective amount of an siRNA specifically interfering with the expression or function of BARD1 9′L. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the cancer is pancreatic, prostate, neuroblastoma, liver, lung, colorectal cancer, breast cancer or leukemia. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the siRNA is directed against Sequence 2. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the siRNA comprises or consists of a sequence as depicted in Table 2. 
     
     
         7 . A method of screening for compounds, optionally siRNA, useful in the prevention or treatment of cancer wherein i. the compounds are applied to cells expressing BARD1 9′L, ii. measuring with known techniques FL BARD1 and BARD1 isoforms wherein their level of expression is indicative of the usefulness of the compound in the prevention or treatment of cancer. 
     
     
         8 . A method for the identification and/or quantification of BARD1 9′L RNA in one or more cells, optionally wherein the cells are harvested under suitable conditions, the nucleic acid molecules of said cells are collected with a suitable technique, the collected nucleic acid molecules are subject to RT-PCR under suitable conditions wherein one or more primers hybridize under suitable conditions with the BARD1 9′L RNA or cDNA produced on the BARD1 9′L RNA template. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the primers hybridize with the sequences comprised in Sequence 3 or with the cDNA produced on RNA template comprised in Sequence 3. 
     
     
         10 . A method for the prevention or treatment of cancer in a patient in need thereof comprising the steps of: i. identifying the expression of BARD1 9′L in a sample of said patient, optionally quantifying the level of expression, ii. administering an effective amount of one or more siRNAs specifically interfering with the expression or function of BARD1 9′L to patients who express BARD1 9′L, preferably in a predefined amount or concentration. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10  wherein the sample is blood or a biopsy. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more siRNAs are directed against Sequence 2. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more siRNAs comprise or consist of a sequence as depicted in Table 2. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein identification or/and quantification is performed by RT-PCR or nuclear acid sequencing or nuclear acid hybridization. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein identification or/and quantification is performed by RT-PCR or nuclear acid sequencing or nuclear acid hybridization. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein identification or/and quantification is performed by RT-PCR or nuclear acid sequencing or nuclear acid hybridization. 
     
     
         17 . A BARD1 9′L promoter comprising or consisting of Sequence 4 or 5.