Methods of Predicting Patient Treatment Response and Resistance via Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Their Tumors

Summary:

The NCI is currently seeking research co-development partners for this first-in-kind computational method that is predictive of therapeutic response based on clonal SC gene expression of tumors.

Description of Technology:

Tailoring the best treatments to cancer patients remains a highly important endeavor in the oncology field. However, personalized treatment courses are challenging to determine, and technologies or methods that can successfully be employed for precision oncology are lacking.

CODEFACS and LIRICS: Computation Tools for Identifying Cell-Type Specific Gene Expression Levels in Tumors and Other Types of Samples

Description of Technology:

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex mixture of cell types whose interactions affect tumor growth and clinical outcome. Recent studies using fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and single-cell RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to elucidate tissue composition and cell-cell interactions in the TME led to improved biomarkers of patient response and new treatment opportunities.

Cross Species Single Domain Antibodies Targeting PD-L1 for Treating Solid Tumors

Description of Technology:

Programed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1, also known as B7-H1 or CD274) is a cell surface protein that binds to Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1, also known as CD279). An imbalance in PD-1/PD-L1 activity contributes to cancer immune escape.  PD-1 is expressed on the surface of antigen-stimulated T cells. The interaction between PD-L1 and PD-1 negatively regulates T cell-mediated immune responses. It has been suggested that disrupting the PD-L1/PD-1 signaling pathway can be used to treat cancers.

Small Molecule Ephrin (Eph) Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Colorectal Cancer and Other Eph Growth-dependent Solid Tumors

Description of Technology:

Advanced colorectal carcinoma is currently incurable, and new therapies are urgently needed. Ephrin (Eph) receptors are a clinically relevant class of receptor tyrosine kinases. Related signaling pathways are associated with oncogenesis of a number of cancers. NCI investigators found that phosphotyrosine-dependent Eph receptor signaling sustains colorectal carcinoma cell survival, thereby uncovering a survival pathway active in colorectal carcinoma cells.