Described herein are objective methods for detecting or diagnosing a predisposition to developing cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer. In one embodiment, the diagnostic method involves the step of determining an expression level of C2orf18 using anti-C2orf18 antibody. The present invention further provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of a C2orf18-associated disease, such as a cancer, e.g. pancreatic cancer, methods of inhibiting the cell growth and treating or alleviating their symptom. The invention also features products, such as polynucleotides, polypeptides, and vectors double-stranded molecules, antibodies, vectors and compositions composed thereof.
