Abstract: The invention relates to molecular targets and their use to counteract tumors. Naturally occurring microRNAs that regulate human oncogenes and methods of use thereof are described. Suitable nucleic acids for use in the methods and compositions described herein include, but are not limited to, pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, mature miRNA or fragments of variants thereof that retain the biological activity of the mature miRNA and DNA encoding a pri-miRNA, pre-miRNA, mature miRNA, fragments or variants thereof, or regulatory elements of the miRNA. The here claimed approach is efficacious also on Cancer Stem Cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an antibody or an antigen-binding fragment thereof with specific binding activity for human interleukin-4 for the prevention and/or treatment of cancer.

Abstract: The invention refers to the use of a cytokine antagonist which modulates the expression and/or the function of a cytokine, particularly a Th2 helper cell cytokine, in a cell and causes the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins in said cell through the cytokine modulation for sensitizing cells for apoptosis. In particular, the cells that can be treated with the cytokine antagonists are drug-resistant cancer cells which fail to undergo apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention refers to the use of a cytokine antagonist which modulates the expression and/or the function of a cytokine, particularly a Th2 helper cell cytokine, in a cell and causes the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins in said cell through the cytokine modulation for sensitizing cells for apoptosis. In particular, the cells that can be treated with the cytokine antagonists are drug-resistant cancer cells which fail to undergo apoptosis.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for diagnosing a cancer type, whereby the expression of anti-apoptotic cytokines is determined in the tumour cells. The differential diagnosis of the present invention is used to classify tumour disorders and to recommend the required treatment and to monitor the progress and response to the treatment.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the purification and amplification in the undifferentiated state of tumoral stem cells form solid tumours which are most resistant to conventional therapies, aiming at devising new tumour markers and therapeutic targets both for early diagnosis and for targeted therapeutic strategies.