Methods for Diagnosing and Treating Pediatric Neoplasm

Lead Inventors: Anna Lasorella, MDProblem or Unmet Need:The mortality from pediatric cancers can be reduced if tumors are diagnosed and treated at an early stage. Moreover, current treatment protocols can be invasive (surgery) or can produce deleterious side-effects. Side-effects are a particular concern in pediatric neoplasms because chemotherapy and radiation can interfere with growth and thus generate serious consequences. It is clear that alternative strategies for diagnosis and treatment of pediatric neoplasms are needed in order to achieve earlier diagnosis, improve survival in children with cancer, and ease the negative effects of therapy. The Id proteins are helix-loop-helix transcription factors that have been implicated in the control of cell differentiation and cell-cycle control. Id2 mRNA is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer and certain leukemias. However, prior to this technology the role of Id2 is unclear in pediatric neoplasm. This technology discovered that Id2 is highly expressed in tumors of subjects who have neuroblastoma, and that inhibition of Id2 interrupts the Myc-Id2 transcription pathway and has an antiproliferative effect.

Provides early diagnosis for pediatric neoplasm Provides alternative treament for pediatric neoplasm to avoid invasive surgery and side effects caused by chemotherapy and radiation

Diagnosis and monitoring of neuroblastomas and other pediatric neoplasms Assessing the efficacy of therapy to treat pediatric neoplasm Assessing the prognosis of pediatric neoplasm Treatment of pediatric neoplasm by inhibiting Id2 Diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of other types of neoplasm

This technology discovered that Id2 is highly expressed in tumors of subjects who have neuroblastoma, and that inhibition of Id2 interrupts the Myc-Id2 transcription pathway and has an antiproliferative effect.

USA