Out-licensing

Biomarkers for Breast Cancer Based on Genetic Instability

Introduction/Background

It is difficult to establish a prognosis for breast cancer because the clinical course and survival times of patients with the disease vary greatly. When cells are unable to repair minor damage to their DNA, genetic instability occurs, which can produce gross abnormalities in chromosomes and the onset of cancer.

Aims/Hypothesis

Because the magnitude of the abnormalities is strongly correlated with a negative prognosis for cancer, genetic instability can serve as a useful biomarker for establishing a prognosis for breast cancer patients. Presently, genetic instability is not directly accounted for in established prognostic tests.

Research

Investigators at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed a compact gene signature that identifies genome instability in breast cancer cells. By comparing changes in expression levels of only 12 genes in malignant tissue to levels in normal breast tissue, it is possible to detect the genetic abnormalities that are indicative of a poor prognosis.

Conclusion

This method has the potential to improve markedly the forecasting of clinical outcomes for breast cancer and help improve treatment of this disease.

Relevance/Opportunity

The National Cancer Institute's Genetics Branch is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize prognostic tests for breast cancer based on a 12-gene expression signature. Please enquire quoting reference no. 809.

Preclinical

U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/097,101 filed 15 Sep 2008