Objective methods for detecting or diagnosing cancer, or determining a predisposition for developing cancer, particularly lung cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, osteosarcoma, prostate cancer and soft tissue tumor, are described herein. In one embodiment, the diagnostic method involves determining an expression level of the SUV39H2 gene. The present invention further provides methods of screening for candidate substances useful in the treatment and/or prevention of an SUV39H2-associated cancer, such as lung cancer, cervical cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, osteosarcoma, prostate cancer and soft tissue tumor. The present invention further provides methods of inhibiting the cell growth and thereby treating or alleviating symptoms of an SUV39H2 associated cancer. The present invention also features double-stranded molecules against the SUV39H2 gene and vectors encoding thereof as well as compositions containing such components and their utility in connection with the treatment and prevention of an SUV39H2-associated cancer.
