MELK regulation for the treatment of breast cancer

A method for inhibiting growth or proliferation of breast cancer cells comprising administering to a subject in need thereof in an amount that is effective to inhibit growth or proliferation of the breast cancer cells a MELK inhibitor, a FoxM1 inhibitor or a MELK inhibitor and a FoxM1 inhibitor:

• wherein the MELK inhibitor comprises an inhibitory RNA having a MELK target nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO:
• 1, SEQ. ID. NO:
• 2, SEQ. ID. NO:
• 3 and SEQ. ID. NO:
• 4,
• wherein the inhibitory RNA comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NOS:
• 5-12;
• and wherein the breast cancer cells are estrogen receptor (ER) negative.

A method for treating a subject having breast cancer, the method comprising:

• determining an estrogen receptor expression status in breast cancer cells of the subject;
• administering a MELK inhibitor, a FoxM1 inhibitor or a MELK inhibitor and a FoxM1 inhibitor to the subject having breast cancer cells that are estrogen receptor negative;
• wherein the MELK inhibitor comprises an inhibitory RNA having a MELK target nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NO:
• 1, SEQ. ID. NO:
• 2, SEQ. ID. NO:
• 3 and SEQ. ID. NO:
• 4,
• and wherein the inhibitory RNA comprises a nucleotide sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ. ID. NOS:
• 5-12.