Abstract: Antisense polynucleotides to human transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.) and the receptor for human epidermal growth factor (rEGF) are disclosed. Those polynucleotides are about 30 to about 50 bases in length and each hybridizes to about 10 to about 25 bases flanking the start codon for the gene encoding those proteins. Use of those antisense polynucleotides alone, together and mixed with an antibody combining site-containing molecule that binds to rEGF in treating human growth factor-sensitive cancerous tumors such as prostate tumors is also disclosed.