Inventors:
Hla Y. Win - Tampa FL, US
Raoul Salup - Tampa FL, US
Assignee:
University of South Florida - Tampa FL
International Classification:
G01N 33/574, C12Q 1/68, G01N 21/64, G01N 21/76, A61K 31/675, A61K 31/713, A61K 9/127, A61K 9/133, A61P 35/00, C12N 5/09, G01N 33/577
US Classification:
424450, 435375, 435 74, 435 611, 435 612, 514 44 A, 514 94
Abstract:
A method of detecting prostate tumorigenesis in a subject, the method including the steps of (a) obtaining a sample from the prostate of the human subject, (b) detecting quantitatively or semi-quantitatively in the sample a level of expression for PKC-ι and (c) comparing the expression level in (b) to a level of expression in a normal control, wherein overexpression of PKC-ι, with respect to the control, indicates the presence of prostate cancer in the subject. The present invention is based upon the discovery that PKC-ι levels are elevated during prostate tumorigenesis. Furthermore, the proliferation rate of the tumor correlates with the level of PKC-ι. The invention also provides methods of treating prostate cancer by administering to the subject a compound that inhibits the expression of PKC-ι. The compound can be a small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecule.