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).