Polynucleotides for use in treating and diagnosing cancers

摘要

The present invention provides methods for increasing sensitivity of cancer cells to an antiestrogen agent, such as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). The methods include administering to the subject a polynucleotide in an amount effective to increase the antiestrogen agent sensitivity of the cancer cells. The cancer cells may be estrogen receptor positive, such as ER-α66 positive or ER-α36 positive, prior to the administering. Also provided are methods for decreasing the amount of estrogen receptor present in a cancer cell, methods for determining whether antiestrogen agent sensitivity of cancer cells in a subject can be increased, methods for diagnosing whether a subject has, or is at risk for developing, cancer, and methods for identifying an agent that increases the amount of let-7 miRNA in a cell.

主权项

1. A method of treating breast cancer in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
identifying breast cancer cells associated with the subject that are resistant to a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM); and thereafter administering to the subject a polynucleotide in an amount effective to increase tamoxifen sensitivity of the breast cancer cells, wherein the polynucleotide is a single strand miRNA substantially complementary to 5′-AACACCAGGAAGGCCUACCUCA (SEQ ID NO: 16).