This invention concerns identification of the first serum tumour marker for monitoring the initiation and progression of prostate cancer (CaP) in animal models.

This invention concerns identification of the first serum tumour marker for monitoring the initiation and progression of prostate cancer (CaP) in animal models. Current prostate cancer (CaP) research in both basic and pre-clinical trial studies employ genetically engineered (GE) mouse models, since CaP does not occur naturally in rodents. Widespread adoption of these models has thus far been limited by the stochastic and often invisible nature of murine GE-CaPs, the requirement for the treatment of large cohorts of mice for autopsy analysis, and the difficulties that have been encountered in performing longitudinal studies of the dynamics of tumour development. Furthermore, unlike in human prostate cancer patients, rodents have no counterpart of the prostatic specific antigen (PSA) that proven use for monitoring CaP initiation and progression. The discovery of the first CaP serum biomarker in rodents will greatly enhance the utility of basic and preclinical research in understanding, evaluating, and demonstrating the effectiveness of new therapies or drugs for human prostate cancer. Our intellectual property position includes claims to the marker itself, methods of using it, and to the development of a kit for the conduct of preclinical research.

Market Opportunity:  

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in adult men in North America. In the United States alone, it will afflict 1 in 7 men in their lifetime - approximately 232,090 men this year alone, of which 30,350 will die. A number of genetically engineered (GE) mouse models exist for basic and preclinical prostate cancer research. However, until now, no in vivo serum biomarker has been available to better understand, evaluate, and demonstrate the efficacy of new therapies or drugs. It is estimated that 500 labs are utilizing the genetically engineered TRAMP model of prostate cancer alone. As such, a serum biomarker system for use in combination with existing animal models of CaP is expected to attract significant scientific and commercial interest.