MOLECULAR MARKERS

摘要

The present invention relates generally to genetic sequences exhibiting differential expression patterns in cancer tissue relative to normal tissue. The identification of differentially expressed genetic sequences permits their use as molecular markers for cancer, as early indicators of cancer progression and/or as predictive markers for a propensity or likelihood of a cancer to develop. The present invention relates particularly to genetic sequences exhibiting expression patterns up-regulated in cervical cells or associated with pre-, early- and/or late-onset cervical cancer relative to normal cervical cells. The genetic sequences of the present invention provide markers for pre-, early- or late-onset cervical cancer and/or a cancer related to cervical cancer. The markers of the present invention further provide potential targets for the development of therapeutic protocols for the treatment or prophylaxis of cervical or related cancer. Such therapeutic protocols are directed to inhibiting expression of the marker or inhibiting the expression product of the marker. The present invention is further directed to a method for identifying molecular markers which are useful indicators of cervical cancer and/or its progression.