Genomics-based Diagnostic Assay for Cancer

Molecular profiling with high throughput assays has gained utility in the management of select cancer patients and several gene expression-based assays are now marketed for improved prognostic accuracy for patients with cancer.

This technology describes a genomics based diagnostic assay for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer patients.  Using a mouse model of breast cancer, the inventors identified a gene expression signature that can predict the outcome for human breast cancer patients with as few as six genes.  The gene signature includes a total of 79 cancer survival factor-associated genes and was validated using available genomic test sets that were based on previously conducted human clinical trials.  More recently, the six-gene-model was validated for cancers other than breast using multiple, independent, publicly-available human lung cancer datasets.  In addition to predicting the outcome of cancer patients, this technology could also be used to stratify patients for further therapy and treat patients by administering a therapeutic agents that alter the activity of one of the aforementioned cancer survival factor-associated genes.

Competitive Advantages:

Prognostic outcome of breast and lung cancer patients can be identified in as few as six genes.

Commercial Applications:

-  Methods for cancer diagnosis and prognosis by evaluating expression levels of certain cancer survival factor-associated molecules in patients.
-  Treatment of cancer by administering therapeutic agents that alter biological activity of cancer survival factor-associated molecule.