Twenty-three markers are provided which are epigenetically silenced in ovarian cancers. The markers can be used diagnostically, prognostically, therapeutically, and for selecting treatments that are well tailored for an individual patient. Restoration of expression of silenced genes can be useful therapeutically, for example, if the silenced gene is a tumor-suppressor gene. Restoration can be accomplished by supplying non-methylated copies of the silenced genes or polynucleotides encoding their encoded products. Alternatively, restoration can be accomplished using chemical demethylating agents or methylation inhibitors. Kits for testing for epigenetic silencing can be used in the context of diagnostics, prognostics, or for selecting "personalized medicine" treatments.
This application claims the benefit of provisional application 60/724,265 filed Oct. 7, 2005. The entire disclosure of the provisional application is incorporated herein by reference.
