Novel Assessment for Cutaneous T Cell Lymphoma

University of Pittsburgh researchers have identified a unique genetic signature of up- and down-regulated genes in patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) potentially allowing for accurate and timely diagnosis of CTCL, a traditionally difficult to diagnose lymphoma.

Description

There is a pressing need to find more accurate methods to diagnose, assess severity and treat CTCL. This novel genetic signature can be used in diagnosis and measurement of gene expression levels in the signature can be useful in determining the severity of CTCL with the ability to optimize the treatment response before other clinical observations. Through early diagnosis and the development of useful treat-to-target strategies, outcomes for patients with CTCL could be improved.

Applications

1. Cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL)
2. Sezary syndrome
3. Mycosis fungoides

Advantages

Currently no specific diagnostic or prognostic markers exist for CTCL, an incurable malignancy of T cells with delayed diagnosis for patients as CTCL is often confused with other inflammatory dermatoses. Where patients are diagnosed early, they have a longer lifespan. The identification of diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets is required to address this unmet clinical need.

This novel approach has identified genetic markers uniquely expressed in CTCL including TOX, a transcription factor upregulated in CTCL patients, and the genes RUNX3 and GATA3 which are up- and down-regulated respectively in patients with CTCL. Expression levels of these genes can be determined using standard laboratory methods to aid the diagnosis of CTCL. Additionally, levels of gene expression can be monitored before and after treatment initiation to measure treatment response, tailor treatments, and to assess prognosis in patients with CTCL.

Invention Readiness

In vivo analysis has identified a unique genetic signature that can be used for the diagnosis of CTCL.

IP Status

https://patents.google.com/patent/US11067577B2