Extracellular vesicle-based assay for detecting head and neck cancer

This technology is a method for determining the presence or absence of head and neck cancer through the detection of cancer-associated proteins on extracellular vesicles isolated from patients.

Unmet Need: Early diagnostic tool for head and neck cancer

Current diagnostic tools for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are limited in their usefulness for detecting the disease due to low sensitivity, low specificity, and long turnaround times. These limitations contribute to 60% of patients with HNSCC being diagnosed with late-stage cancer. As such, there is a significant need for a simple, specific assay for the early detection of head and neck cancer.

The Technology: Non-invasive method for the detection of head and neck cancer

This technology identifies the occurrence of HNSCC by analyzing the proteomic landscape of extracellular exosomes (EVs) isolated from bodily fluid samples. Specifically, this assay detects the appearance of proteins uniquely enriched in tumor-derived extracellular vesicles. The positive identification of one or several of these cancer-specific proteins on isolated EVs indicates the presence of head and neck cancer.

Applications:

Diagnostic tool for HNSCC and other squamous cancers
Research tool for isolating EVs and quantifying EV content
Method for identifying tumor-specific EV proteins
Screening method for predicting and monitoring cancer treatment response
Tumor-specific delivery of EV-encapsulated therapeutics

Advantages:

Non-invasive method to screen for and diagnose HNSCC
Can be used for longitudinal sampling and analysis
Facilitates analysis of tumor-derived DNA, RNA, and protein
Uses high-throughput chip-based approach
Can be used for early detection and assessment of cancer stage

Lead Inventor:

Fatemeh Momen-Heravi, DDS, MPH, PhD, MS

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (WO/2022/226391)

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference:

IR CU21332
Licensing Contact: Joan Martinez