University of Pittsburgh investigators have developed methodologies to identify and treat cancers that result from specific fusion genes.
Description
The present invention relates to methods of detecting and treating patients suffering from cancer or a pre-malignant or neoplastic condition and are carrying one or more specific fusion genes. These specific fusion genes yield insights into disease progression and enable clinicians to tailor specific genome therapies. The chromosomal breakpoints of significant numbers of fusion genes have been identified; these breakpoints not only serve as cancer markers but also provide unique opportunities to treat human cancers using genome editing and genome targeting technologies. Once fusion transcripts are detected in serum samples, novel treatment options include administering a therapeutic effective amount of an agent at the breakpoint that inhibits the fusion gene of interest.
Applications
• Identification and treatment of cancers that involve fusion genes
• Treatment of solid tumors (e.g., breast cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, gastric cancer, thyroid cancer, glioblastoma, and others)
• Treatment of lymphoma and leukemia
Advantages
• Highly specific ability to target cancer cells containing a specific fusion gene is substantially advantageous over chemotherapy, which kills healthy cells
• Many of the identified fusion genes have known inhibitors
• No cytotoxic effects
• Genome editing treatments can be combined with other therapies, such as immunotherapy or signal transduction inhibitors
Invention Readiness
In vivo data
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US20170240924A1; https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2018112090A1; https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2018112098A1; https://patents.google.com/patent/US9932641B2; https://patents.google.com/patent/US10167519B2; https://patents.google.com/patent/US20180245162A1
