a prognostic test for breast cancer - Isis Project No 3203
Quantification of a single microRNA as a reliable prognostic marker in breast cancer ensures patients receive the most effective and appropriate treatment
MARKETING OPPORTUNITY
Globally, breast cancer is the commonest cancer amongst women and is the fifth most common cause of cancer death. Every year 1.1 million women are newly diagnosed with breast cancer and will die from the disease. It is the best example of a cancer in which prognostic information is required to guide treatment. Usually the likely outcome of a cancer is determined using indicators such as tumour size and histological features. These indicators are frequently used in combination but a single reliable marker is a more powerful predictor of survival.
THE OXFORD INVENTION
Oxford academics have discovered that the level of a specific microRNA in human breast cancer is enhanced and that its expression correlates closely with mortality. The measurement of this single RNA species provides additional prognostic information, which is independent of other commonly used markers such as tumour size. The marker is easily detectable and can be assayed by any molecular technique for detecting low molecular weight RNA.
A single measurement of a microRNA, as a predictor of breast cancer survival, has considerable benefits over multiple determinations of gene expression, which are currently utilised in attempts to determine prognosis. The benefits lie primarily in the simplicity of the assay, its flexibility, cost benefit and in its strength as a prognostic tool. A simple, low cost assay is amenable to in-house analysis and technicians would not require extensive training in order to undertake the procedure. MicroRNA is relatively stable compared to conventional RNA and DNA molecules. Therefore, the sample material could be tumour specimens, blood, urine or paraffin fixed tumour sections. Since most tumour histology samples are fixed and archived there is a distinct advantage in being able to study this material. An elevated level of the specific microRNA is indicative of an eight-fold decrease in chances of survival and is therefore, a much more powerful predictor than current determinants. The ability to gauge the prognosis of a breast cancer with a simple test will enable clinicians to offer the most appropriate treatment, providing more aggressive therapies to patients with a poor prognosis and minimising side effects and toxicity for those patients with less aggressive disease.
PATENT STATUS
This work is the subject of a patent application, and Isis would like to talk to companies interested in developing the commercial opportunity that this represents. Please contact the Isis Project Manager to discuss this further.
Request Further Information: Project Number 3203 A Prognostic Test for Breast Cancer