Expression analysis of KIAA nucleic acids and polypeptides useful in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer

1. A method of assessing whether a subject is afflicted with prostate cancer, the method comprising comparing:

a) the level of expression of a marker in a sample from a subject, wherein the marker is selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 10 (KIAA 18) and SEQ ID NO. 11 (KIAA 96), and

b) the normal level of expression of the marker in a control sample, wherein a significant difference between the level of expression of the marker in to sample from the subject and the normal level is an indication that the subject is afflicted with prostate cancer.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the marker corresponds to a transcribed polynucleotide or portion thereof, wherein the polynucleotide comprises the marker.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample comprises cells obtained from the subject.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the cells are collected from the prostate gland.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the cells are collected from blood.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of expression of the marker in the sample differs from the normal level of expression of the marker in a subject not afflicted with prostate cancer by a factor of at least about 2.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of expression of the marker in the sample differs from the normal level of expression of the marker in a subject not afflicted with prostate cancer by a factor of at least about 3.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the marker is not significantly expressed in non-prostate cancer cells.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of expression of the marker in the sample is assessed by detecting the presence in the sample of a protein corresponding to the marker.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the presence of the protein is detected using a reagent which specifically binds with the protein.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the reagent is selected from the group consisting of an antibody, an antibody derivative, and an antibody fragment.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of expression of the marker in the sample is assessed by detecting the presence in the sample of a transcribed polynucleotide or portion thereof, wherein the transcribed polynucleotide comprises the marker.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transcribed polynucleotide is an mRNA.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein the transcribed polynucleotide is a cDNA.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the step of detecting further comprises amplifying the transcribed polynucleotide.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the level of expression of the marker in the sample is assessed by detecting the presence in the sample of a transcribed polynucleotide which anneals with the marker or anneals with a portion of a polynucleotide, wherein the polynucleotide comprises the marker, under stringent hybridization conditions.

17. The method of claim 1 , further comprising comparing:

a) the level of expression in the sample of each of at least two markers independently, wherein the markers are selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO. 10 (KIAA 18) and SEQ ID NO. 11 (KIAA 96); and

b) the normal level of expression of the at least two markers in samples of the same type obtained from control subjects not afflicted prostate cancer, wherein the level of expression of more tan one of the markers is significantly altered, relative to the corresponding normal levels of expression of the markers, is an indication that to subject is afflicted prostate cancer.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the marker is SEQ ID NO. 10 (KIAA 18).

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the marker is SEQ ID NO. 11 (KIAA 96).