Novel Therapeutic Target for Gliomas and Medulloblastomas
- Detailed Technology Description
- TechSummary: Novel predictive test to help determine appropriate therapy in medulloblastomas, gliomas and other tumors.Novel therapeutic target for single or combination therapy to improve the outcome of these diseases.
- *Abstract
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Background: According to the American Brain Tumor Association,primary brain tumors occur at a rate of 12.8 per 100,000 people. The problem seems to be most common in children ages 3 to 12, and in adults from 40 to 70.In the United States, approximately 2,200 people younger than 20 are diagnosed annually with brain tumors. Although previously under-reported, increased awareness and better brain scanning techniques have led to people 85 and older being diagnosed and treated.
Tumors growing in the brain are difficult to treat. One type of treatment is external beam radiation, in which radiation passes through the brain to the tumor. Unfortunately, this exposes healthy brain tissue to potentially damaging radiation. Another treatment is surgical removal of the tumor, if possible, followed by chemotherapy. These treatments are difficult to endure, and pose risks to the patient.
Despite enduring the risks and discomforts of these treatments, many gliomas (tumors arising from glial cells) grow back.
TechnologyDescription: An analysis of microarray data of children with medulloblastomas identified a gene that is highly correlated with outcome in children treated with chemotherapy and surgery only.Examination of the Cancer Genome Atlas publicly available REMBRANDT database showed that high expression of this gene in gliomas was highly correlated with longer overall survival.
To investigate a causal relationship, Dr. Epstein examined the effect of this gene on tumor cells in culture. The resulting data demonstrate a novel apoptotic and anti-proliferative role for this gene in medulloblastoma and glioblastoma cell lines.
This is the first description of a potential role for this particular gene in pediatric and adult brain tumors and other cancers.
Applications- Brain tumor therapy,diagnosis and prognosis
Advantages
- May lead to improved therapies, prognostic and diagnostic tests
Development Stage- In vitro proof of principle data
- Animal studies in process
IP Protection: Confidential information
- Country/Region
- USA
