TGF-beta Gene Expression Signature in Cancer Prognosis
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. This heterogeneity and the lack of appropriate biomarkers have hampered patient prognosis and treatment stratification.
Available for licensing is a novel temporal TGF-beta gene expression signature that predicts HCC patient clinical outcomes. Patients with tumors expressing late TGF-beta responsive genes had a malignant prognosis and an invasive tumor phenotype as evaluated by decreased survival time, increased tumor recurrence, and vascular invasion rate. Additionally, this signature may also be able to prognose other cancers, including lung cancer.
Applications:
Method to diagnose cancer
Method to monitor cancer progression and aid clinicians to choose appropriate therapies
Commercial kits to prognose cancer
Advantages:
Early diagnostic tool to stratify HCC patients to chose more effective treatment.
Development Status:
The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Market:
An estimated 1,444,920 new cancer diagnoses in the U.S. in 2007.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in United States.
It is estimated that the cancer therapeutic market would double to $50 billion a year in 2010 from $25 billion in 2006.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-282-2007/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/981,661 filed 22 Oct 2007
Relevant Publication: Coulouaran C, Factor VM, Thorgeirsson SS. Transforming growth factor-beta gene expression signature in mouse hepatocytes predicts clinical outcome in human cancer. Hepatology 2008 Jun;47(6):2059-2067. [PubMed abs]
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research, Laboratory of Experimental Carcinogenesis is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize a novel temporal TGF-beta gene expression signature that predicts HCC patient clinical outcomes. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
Portfolios: Miscellaneous Gene Based Therapies Cancer
Cancer -Diagnostics-In Vitro-DNA Based Cancer -Diagnostics Cancer -Therapeutics Gene Based Therapies -Diagnostics Miscellaneous-Miscellaneous
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
