Methods are provided for detecting a cell proliferative disorder associatedwith TSLC1 by contacting a proliferating cell of a subject suspected of havingthe disorder with a reagent that detects TSKC1 and detecting the level ofTSLC1 in the proliferating cell. TSLC1 is a single gene whose expression isreduced or absent in A549 and some other NSCLC, hepatocellular carcinoma andpancreatic cancer cell lines. It has further been discovered that TSLC1expression or suppression is perfectly correlated with promoter methylationstate. Restoration of TSLC1 expression to normal or higher levels issufficient by itself to suppress tumor formation. The invention furtherprovides methods of treating such disorders by contacting cells of a patientsuffering from the disorder with a therapeutically effective amount of areagent that modulates TSLC1 level in the proliferating cells.
