Specifically, the miRNA members (miR-409, miR-379 and miR-154*) within the delta-like 1 homolog-deiodinase, iodothyronine 3 (DLK1-DIO3) imprinted region located on human chromosome 14 had tumor-inductive effects in vitro and in prostate cancer xenograft models. Here, DLK1 is linked to neoplasm.