This invention relates to the inhibition of a newly discovered growth-stimulating protein in an individual. Further, the invention relates to a method for preventing or treating a cancer, or preventing or treating cancer growth, invasion or metastasis, or preventing or treating other hyperproliferative diseases in an individual, by down regulating the expression of said growth-stimulating protein or by inactivating said protein. Still further, the invention concerns a method for diagnosing cancer or other hyperproliferative diseases in an individual based on said growth-stimulating protein.