The invention features methods for detecting cancers, especially lung cancer and/or esophageal cancer, using over-expressed gene CDCA5, EPHA7, STK31 or WDHDl compared the normal organs. Also disclosed are methods of identifying compounds for treating and preventing cancers, based on the over-expression or the biological activity of CDCA5, EPHA7, STK31 or WDHDl in the cancers, especially the interaction between EPHA7 and EGFR. Also, features are a method for treating cancers by administering a double- stranded molecule against CDCA5, EPHA7, STK31 or WDHDl gene. The invention also features products, including the double - stranded molecules and vectors encoding them, as well as compositions comprising the molecules or vectors, useful in the provided methods.
