Abstract: It has now been found that the introduction of single stranded oligonucleotides of DNA or RNA, particularly RNA transcribed from portions of wild type prohibitin 3?UTR, into tumors leads to arrested cell proliferation. Significant reduction in the size of primary tumors has been observed following direct administration of prohibitin 3?UTR RNA. Induction of systemic immunity, as evidenced by the disappearance of metastases as well as the lack of tumor growth in rechallenged animals following prohibitin RNA therapy, has been observed. Thus, wild type RNAs transcribed from portions of a prohibitin 3?UTR, or single stranded DNAs comprised of portions of a prohibitin 3?UTR, or synthetically-made oligonucleotides of the same sequences, can be directly administered as therapeutic agents against tumors.

Abstract: The 3? untranslated region of the human prohibitin gene has been isolated for use in a cancer susceptibility screen and as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The lifetime probability of a person developing cancer can now be determined based on an allelic variation found in the 3?UTR of the prohibitin gene. The probability is dependent on the sequence of the 3?UTR at position 729, i.e., whether there is a thymine (T) or a cytosine (C) or both at this position. Determining the sequence at the position 729 can be done by any number of standard techniques. Preferably, the sequence is determined by amplifying this region by PCR and subjecting it to an RFLP analysis.

Abstract: It has now been found that the introduction of single stranded oligonucleotides of DNA or RNA, particularly RNA transcribed from portions of wild type prohibitin 3′UTR, into tumors leads to arrested cell proliferation. Significant reduction in the size of primary tumors has been observed following direct administration of prohibitin 3′UTR RNA. Induction of systemic immunity, as evidenced by the disappearance of metastases as well as the lack of tumor growth in rechallenged animals following prohibitin RNA therapy, has been observed. Thus, wild type RNAs transcribed from portions of a prohibitin 3′UTR, or single stranded DNAs comprised of portions of a prohibitin 3′UTR, or synthetically-made oligonucleotides of the same sequences, can be directly administered as therapeutic agents against tumors.

Abstract: The lifetime probability of a person developing cancer can now be determined based on an allelic variation found in the 3′UTR of the prohibitin gene. The probability is dependent on the sequence of the 3′UTR at position 729, i.e., whether there is a thymine (T) or a cytosine (C) or both at this position. Determining the sequence at the position 729 can be done by any number of standard techniques. Preferably, the sequence is determined by amplifying this region by PCR and subjecting it to an RFLP analysis.

Abstract: The lifetime probability of a woman developing breast cancer can now be determined based on an allelic variation found in the 3′UTR of the prohibitin gene. The probability is dependent on the sequence of the 3′UTR at position 729, i.e., whether there is a thymine (T) or a cytosine (C) or both at this position. Polymorphism at position 729 is also disclosed as a susceptibility indicator for hereditary breast cancer in men. Determining the sequence at the position 729 can be done by any number of standard techniques. Preferably, the sequence is determined by amplifying this region by PCR and subjecting it to an RFLP analysis.