Abstract

The present invention provides methods and kits a) for preventing and/or treating cancer (e.g., colorectal cancer, neuroblastoma) that is linked, in part, to high levels of ODC activity and increased cellular polyamine content, b) for predicting cancer patient survival, especially cancer patient's whose cancer is linked, in part, to high levels of ODC activity and increased cellular polyamine contents, and c) for selecting the corresponding treatment options for such patients based on the allelic nucleotide sequence or SNP at positions +263 and/or +316 of the ODC1 gene as well as cancer treatment methods, in each case, which include the determination of the ODC1 genotype at the +263 and/or +316 positions, as a means to guide treatment selection.