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
Main Advantages of
Technology/Invention:
- Unique gene signature which is able to predict HCC patient
survival outcome
R&D Status: Discovery
Further R&D Needed:
- 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.
IP Status:
- U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/198,813 filed 10 Nov
2008
Contact Information:
John D. Hewes, Ph.D.
NCI Technology Transfer Center
Tel: 301-435-3121
Email: hewesj@mail.nih.gov
Please reference advertisement #839
Revised 4/15/2009
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