Method of diagnosing cancer and reagents therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for diagnosis and monitoring the efficacy of treatment of a cancer. More particularly, the methods of the invention comprise detecting an enhanced degree of chromatin modification within Chromosome 2 of the human genome from about map position 2q14.1 to about map position 2q14.3 in a sample derived from a subject. The methods include detecting an enhanced level of methylation, or detecting an enhanced level of modification of a histone positioned within the chromatin within the region of about 2q14.1 to 2q14.3 of Chromosome 2. The methods also include detecting a modulated level of expression of a gene within the region of about 2q14.1 to 2q14.3 of Chromosome 2. The gene may be selected from the group consisting of DEAD box polypeptide 18 (DDX18), translin (TSN), v-ral simian leukaemia viral oncogene homolog B (RALB), secretin recepto (SCTR), engrailed homolog 1 (EN1), macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO), protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 4 (PTPN4), insulin induced gene 2 (INSIG2), inhibin beta B (INHBB), GLI-Kruppel family member 2 (GLI2), FLJ10996, STEAP3, diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), MGC10993, erythrocyte membrane protein band 4.1 like 5 (EPB41L5), FLJ14816, transcription factor CP2-like 1 (TFCP2L1).