Methods for the Detection and Treatment of Lung Cancer
Description of Invention:
Lung cancer is the third most common malignant disease and the first leading cause of cancer death in the western world. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading causes of death accounting for nearly 30% of all cancer deaths. Despite considerable research, lung cancer remains difficult to diagnose and treat effectively. Current chemotherapeutic regimens provide poor survival benefits and the unmet clinical need among lung cancer patients is very high. The prognosis is very bleak since most patients are diagnosed with lung cancer at a late stage.
The inventors have discovered that approximately 20% of common adult NSCLC have an aberrant activation of CRTC gene members with marked induction of CRTC regulated genes. CRTC activation is linked with the loss of LKB1/STK11 kinases which results in CRTC underphosphorylation and enhanced nuclear localization. As the LKB1/STK11 signaling pathways has been exploited in potential cancer therapeutic treatments, this novel unrecognized consequence the loss of LKB1/STK11 function associated with aberrant CRTC activation in cancer offers new candidate diagnostic and therapeutic targets for NSCLC.
Applications:
Novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutic treatments
Method to detect and treat lung cancer
Development Status:
The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Market:
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women in the U.S.
The NSCLC market was estimated to be worth US$3.7 billion in 2006 and will increase by 17% by 2012.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-069-2008/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/036,830 filed 13 Mar 2008
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Portfolios: Cancer
Cancer -Diagnostics-In Vitro Cancer -Therapeutics-Immunoconjugates Cancer -Therapeutics-Biological Response Modifiers Cancer -Diagnostics Cancer -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
