Abstract: The GADD153 gene is used herein as a molecular marker for in vivo tumor cell injury which occurs in response to chemotherapy. A GADD153-based prognostic method for tumor clinical response in a patient undergoing chemotherapy is provided. By determination of the magnitude of increase, above baseline, in GADD153 mRNA in a sample derived from a tumor in a patient after administration of a chemotherapeutic agent, the method is able to predict the tumor clinical response and, thus, the patient therapeutic response. This method is advantageous over known prognostic methods for tumor clinical response in that it can accurately and rapidly predict therapeutic responses including tumor progression, partial regression and complete regression for a wide range of tumors and chemotherapeutic agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition of matter for the treatment of non-melanoma cancers, wherein said composition comprises a platinum anti-neoplastic compound and tamoxifen, wherein said platinum anti-neoplastic compound and tamoxifen exert a synergistic anti-tumor effect on said non-melanoma cancer. Also provided are various methods of treating non-melanoma cancers and methods of preventing or overcoming resistance to platinum-containing anti-neoplastic compounds.