Office of Technology Development

Identification of a 14-Gene Set that Predicts Anticancer Activity of Inhibitors of the RAF/MEK/MAPK Pathway

SK1231

Summary of Invention

Genetic profiling of tumors is an effective approach to cancer treatment. There is an unmet need in this field to better understand the genetic profile of different classes of tumors in an effort to tailor the therapy to suit individual needs.

The present invention provides identification of a gene expression profile that predicts the anticancer activity of inhibitors of the RAF/MEK/MAPK pathway. This technology could be used for qualifying the cancer status and response in patients, for monitoring the efficacy of a chemotherapeutic regimen and for screening new compounds

Advantages

Excellent prognostic indicator in improving patient outcomes
Sensitive detection of anti-tumor response
Potential to tailor individual treatment regimen
Screening tool for new compounds
Novel therapeutic targets

Areas of Application

Therapeutic, prognostic, and research tool

Stage of Development

In-vitro cell line and xenograft studies

Lead Inventors

Christine Pratilas, MD
Neal Rosen, MD, PhD

Patent Information

U.S. patent issued: 7,812,143

References

Presented at the AACR meeting ( March 31st, 2006)
Pratilas CA, et al. (2008) Cancer Res; 68(22):9375-83
Pratilas CA, et al. (2009) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A; 106(11):4519-24

Contact Information:

Imke Ehlers, PhD, CLP

Licensing Manager
Tel: 646-888-0581; Fax: 212-717-3439
E-mail: ehlersi@mskcc.org

Stage of Development

Animal studies

Categories

cancer (KAN-ser)

A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

efficacy (EH-fih-kuh-see)

Effectiveness. In medicine, the ability of an intervention (for example, a drug or surgery) to produce the desired beneficial effect.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

gene (jeen)

The functional and physical unit of heredity passed from parent to offspring. Genes are pieces of DNA, and most genes contain the information for making a specific protein.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetic (jeh-NEH-tik)

Inherited; having to do with information that is passed from parents to offspring through genes in sperm and egg cells.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

genetic profile (jeh-NEH-tik PROH-file)

Information about specific genes, including variations and gene expression, in an individual or in a certain type of tissue. A genetic profile may be used to help diagnose a disease or learn how the disease may progress or respond to treatment with drugs or radiation.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

regimen (REH-jih-men)

A treatment plan that specifies the dosage, the schedule, and the duration of treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

response (reh-SPONTS)

In medicine, an improvement related to treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

screening (SKREE-ning)

Checking for disease when there are no symptoms. Since screening may find diseases at an early stage, there may be a better chance of curing the disease. Examples of cancer screening tests are the mammogram (breast), colonoscopy (colon), and the Pap test and HPV test (cervix). Screening can also include checking for a person’s risk of developing an inherited disease by doing a genetic test.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapeutic (THAYR-uh-PYOO-tik)

Having to do with treating disease and helping healing take place.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

therapy (THAYR-uh-pee)

Treatment.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)

xenograft (ZEE-noh-graft)

The transplant of an organ, tissue, or cells to an individual of another species.

Source: The National Cancer Institute's Dictionary of Cancer Terms
(http://www.cancer.gov/dictionary)