Identification of Ovarian Cancer Tumor Markers and Therapeutic Agents
Description of Invention:
Germline mutations of BRCA1 and BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes are responsible for 5%–10% of all epithelial ovarian cancers. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in BRCA1 and/or BRCA2 mutation-associated (termed BRCA-linked) ovarian carcinogenesis. To elucidate their pathways, microarrays were used to compare gene expression patterns in ovarian cancers associated with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations with gene expression patterns in sporadic epithelial ovarian cancers to identify patterns common to both hereditary and sporadic tumors. As a result of this analysis, genes that are upregulated in ovarian cancer were identified. Approximately two-thirds of the sequences identified were previously known genes, while approximately one-third were expressed sequence tags, representing sequences that are cloned and identified but not yet characterized. Eighty-three genes were over-expressed in 50% of all tumors and these over-expressed sequences may be used as markers for ovarian cancer and/or targets for therapy.
Applications:
Method to diagnose ovarian cancer
Method to treat ovarian cancer with therapeutics that target ovarian biomarkers
Ovarian cancer therapeutics that inhibit ovarian cancer markers such as siRNA
Market:
Ovarian cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer in the U.S.
Ovarian cancer is three times more lethal than breast cancer
22,430 new cases of ovarian cancer expected in 2007
15,280 ovarian cancer deaths in the U.S. in 2007
Development Status:
The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Inventors:
Amir Jazaeri (NCI) Edison T. Liu (NCI) et al.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-310-2001/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/357,031 filed 13 Feb 2002
PCT Application No. PCT/US03/04688 filed 13 Feb 2003, which published as WO 03/068054 on 21 Aug 2003
U.S. Patent Application No. 10/505,680 filed 12 Aug 2004
Relevant Publication:
AA Jazaeri et al. BRCA1-mediated repression of select X chromosome genes. J Transl Med. 2004 Sep 21;2(1):32. [PubMed abs]
AA Jazaeri et al. Molecular determinants of tumor differentiation in papillary serous ovarian carcinoma. Mol Carcinog. 2003 Feb;36(2):53-59. [PubMed abs]
AA Jazaeri et al. Gene expression profiles of BRCA1-linked, BRCA2-linked, and sporadic ovarian cancers. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2002 Jul 3;94(13):990-1000. [PubMed abs]
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Portfolios: Miscellaneous Gene Based Therapies Cancer
Cancer -Diagnostics-in vitro Cancer -Therapeutics Gene Based Therapies -Therapeutics 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
