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Gene Signature For Predicting Survival Outcome Of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC)

Background:
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 a gene signature for prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients.

Technology:
A progressive sequence of somatic mutations and epigenetic changes of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes are believed to cause tumor development. However, high genomic instability in tumors causes the accumulation of genomic aberrations that do not contribute to tumor progression. Therefore it is important to distinguish between 'driver' mutations which are functionally important and 'passenger' mutations that do not provide a selective advantage to the tumor cells.

The current invention describes a driver gene signature for predicting survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) that includes ten HCC-associated genes that are potential drug targets.  NIH researchers have discovered that a decrease in DNA copy number and mRNA expression of six tumor suppressor genes is functionally associated with a poor prognosis in HCC tumors, while a decrease in DNA copy number and mRNA expression of four other tumor suppressor genes is associated with a good prognosis. This invention also offers a screening method to identify potential HCC pharmacological agents with an ability to extend patient outcome.

Potential Commercial Applications/Possible Markets Identified:

• Potential new method to identify therapeutic treatment for HCC patients

• Unique gene signature which is able to predict HCC patient survival outcome  

• Validation in a larger prospective cohort.
• Perform tests of qRT-PCR as a high throughput method that can be used in the clinical setting.
• Test applicability of the signature to patients with various etiologies underlying HCC development, including hepatitis C infection, chronic alcohol consumption, and inherited hemochromatosis.
• Perform functional studies of the ten genes of this signature for patient-specific therapy.

• U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/198,813 filed 10 Nov 2008

This opportunity is also listed under the following categories:

• Diagnostics