Methods for Determining Hepatocellular Carcinoma Subtype and Detecting Hepatic Cancer Stem Cells
Description of Invention:
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and it is very heterogeneous in terms of its clinical presentation as well as genomic and transcriptomic patterns. HCC can originate from both adult hepatocytes and hepatic progenitor cells. The extent of progenitor cell activation and the direction of differentiation are correlated with the severity of the disease. HCC patient variability indicates that HCC comprises several biologically distinct subtypes. This heterogeneity and the lack of appropriate biomarkers have hampered patient prognosis and treatment stratification.
Available for licensing are microRNA biomarkers that are associated with four HCC subtypes: hepatic stem cell-like, bile duct epithelium-like, hepatocytic progenitor-like, and mature hepatocyte-like. One unique profile is associated with HCC with features of liver stem cells and poor patient prognosis. It has both diagnostic and therapeutic value in the management of HCC patients.
Applications:
A diagnostic assay where HCC treatment can be individualized according to patient HCC subtype
An assay for HCC to prognose patient survival
Therapeutic compositions that target subtype specific HCC
Market:
HCC is the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide
HCC is the fifth most common cancer in the world
Post-operative five year survival rate of HCC patients is 30-40%
Development Status:
The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-215-2007/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/942,833 filed 08 Jun 2007
Relevant Publication:
Presented at Keystone Symposia on MicroRNA and Cancer in June 2007.
R Garzon et al. MicroRNA expression and function in cancer. Trends Mol Med. 2006 Dec;12(12):580-587. [PubMed abs]
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Cancer Institute, Laboratory of Human Carcinogenesis, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize this technology. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
Portfolios: Gene Based Therapies Cancer
Cancer -Diagnostics-In Vitro-DNA Based Cancer -Therapeutics-Gene Therapy Cancer -Diagnostics Cancer -Therapeutics Gene Based Therapies -Therapeutics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Jennifer Wong
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)435-4633
Email: wongje@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301)402-0220
