Abstract: This invention provides methods for increasing the susceptibility of cells to DNA-damaging agents, and for treating tumors in a subject, comprising introducing antisense that prevent expression of DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit Ku70 or Ku80, wherein the antisense is in an amount sufficient to increase the sensitivity of the cells and tumors to heat, chemical, or radiation-induced DNA damage.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for increasing the susceptibility of a cell to DNA-damaging agents, comprising introducing into the cell an antisense oligonucleotide that specifically hybridizes to a nucleic acid encoding a DNA dependent protein kinase subunit so as to prevent expression of the DNA dependent protein kinase subunit; wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is in an amount sufficient to increase the sensitivity of the cell to heat, chemical, or radiation-induced DNA damage; and wherein the DNA dependent protein kinase subunit is a DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit, a Ku70, or a Ku80.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of diagnosing a predisposition to cancer in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from the subject; and; (b) determining whether one or more of the subject's Ku70 alleles or regulatory regions to those alleles are deleted or different from the wild type so as to reduce or eliminate the subject's expression of polypeptide having tumor suppressor activity. This invention also provides a method of assessing the severity of cancer in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from the subject; and (b) determining whether one or more of the subject's Ku70 alleles or regulatory regions to those alleles are deleted or different from the wild type so as to reduce or eliminate the subject's expression of polypeptide having tumor suppressor activity.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of diagnosing a predisposition to cancer in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from the subject; and; (b) determining whether one or more of the subject's Ku70 alleles or regulatory regions to those alleles are deleted or different from the wild type so as to reduce or eliminate the subject's expression of polypeptide having tumor suppressor activity. This invention also provides a method of assessing the severity of cancer in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from the subject; and (b) determining whether one or more of the subject's Ku70 alleles or regulatory regions to those alleles are deleted or different from the wild type so as to reduce or eliminate the subject's expression of polypeptide having tumor suppressor activity.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for increasing the susceptibility of a cell to DNA-damaging agents, comprising introducing into the cell an antisense oligonucleotide that specifically hybridizes to a nucleic acid encoding a DNA dependent protein kinase subunit so as to prevent expression of the DNA dependent protein kinase subunit; wherein the antisense oligonucleotide is in an amount sufficient to increase the sensitivity of the cell to heat, chemical, or radiation-induced DNA damage; and wherein the DNA dependent protein kinase subunit is a DNA dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit, a Ku70, or a Ku80.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of diagnosing a predisposition to cancer in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from the subject; and; (b) determining whether one or more of the subject's Ku70 alleles or regulatory regions to those alleles are deleted or different from the wild type so as to reduce or eliminate the subject's expression of polypeptide having tumor suppressor activity. This invention also provides a method of assessing the severity of cancer in a subject comprising: (a) obtaining a nucleic acid sample from the subject; and (b) determining whether one or more of the subject's Ku70 alleles or regulatory regions to those alleles are deleted or different from the wild type so as to reduce or eliminate the subject's expression of polypeptide having tumor suppressor activity.