Markers for pre-cancer and cancer cells and the method to interfere with cell proliferation therein

摘要

A novel family of human mitochondrial RNAs, referred to as chimeric RNAs, which are differentially expressed in normal, pre-cancer and cancer cells, are described. Oligonucleotides targeted to the chimeric RNAs are provided. The described oligonucleotides or their analogs can be used for cancer therapy as well as for research. In one embodiment of the invention, these oligonucleotides hybridize with the sensor or antisense mitochondrial chimeric RNAs, and the result of the hybridization is cancer and pre-cancer cell death, while there is no substantial effect in normal cells.