Amplified cancer target genes useful in diagnosis and thereapeutic screening

A method for detecting the cancerous status of a cell, comprising detecting elevated expression in said cell of at least one gene corresponding to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:

• 1-6 whereby such elevated expression is indicative of cancerous status of the cell.

A method for detecting a cancer-linked gene comprising the steps of contacting a compound that decreases expression of a gene corresponding to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:

• 1-6, or that encodes a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 7-11, with a cell containing a gene to be tested and detecting a decrease in expression of said test gene thereby identifying said gene as a cancer-linked gene.

A method for detecting cancer or a disposition toward developing cancer comprising detecting in a sample from a patient an increase in expression of a gene corresponding to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence selected from SEQ ID NO:

• 1-6 or that encodes a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:
• 7-11.

A method for treating cancer comprising contacting a cancerous cell with an agent having affinity for an expression product of a gene corresponding to a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1-6 in an amount effective to cause a reduction in cancerous activity of said cell.

A method for monitoring the progress of cancer therapy in a patient comprising monitoring in a patient undergoing cancer therapy the expression of a gene corresponding to a polynucleotide having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1-6 wherein a decrease in said expression is indicative of success of said cancer therapy.

A method for determining the likelihood of success of cancer therapy in a patient, comprising monitoring in a patient undergoing cancer therapy the expression of a gene corresponding to a polynucleotide, having a sequence of SEQ ID NO:

• 1-6 wherein a decrease in said expression prior to completion of said cancer therapy is indicative of a likelihood of success of said cancer therapy.

A method for determining survival prognosis of a patient afflicted With cancer, comprising determining in said patient a change in expression of a TRIP13 gene versus a person not so afflicted wherein amplification of TRIP13 in said patient indicates a poor prognosis for survival of said patient.

A method for determining the likelihood of survival of a patient afflicted with cancer, following commencement of a cancer treatment on said patient, comprising determining in said patient a change in expression of a TRIP13 gene following an anti-cancer treatment compared to such expression prior to commencement of said treatment, wherein a decrease in expression indicates likelihood of survival.

A method for diagnosing cancer comprising contacting a cancerous cell with an agent having affinity for an expression product of a TRIP13 gene in an amount effective to cause a reduction in cancerous activity of said cell.