This technology identifies two genes that are fused in glioblastoma multiforme (brain cancer) and can be targeted to inhibit tumor growth.
Unmet Need: Targeted therapy for Glioblastoma multiforme
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common form of brain cancer, and is also among the most incurable and lethal of all human cancers. Current methods to treat GBM include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. However, none of these therapies specifically target GBM, and as such, the prognosis of GBM remains poor.
The Technology: Highly expressed fusion proteins specific to Glioblastoma multiforme for targeted treatment
This technology identifies a highly expressed class of gene fusions in GBM, which join the tyrosine kinase domain of FGFR genes to the TACC domain of TACC1 or TACC3, resulting in FGFR-TACC1 or FGFR-TACC3 fusion proteins. This technology is the first identification of specific oncogenic gene fusions in GBM, which can serve as potential drug targets for its treatment via inhibition of FGRF kinase activity.
The technology was validated in cell lines and mouse models.
Applications:
- Glioblastoma multiforme treatment
- Diagnostic assay for glioblastoma multiforme
- Drug screening for glioblastoma multiforme
- Research tool to understand gene and protein fusions in cancer
- Diagnostic and therapeutic target for other cancer types with the same gene fusion
Advantages:
- Specific to glioblastoma multiforme
- Treatment is compatible with currently available small molecule inhibitors
- The gene fusions are highly expressed and recurrent
Lead Inventor:
Antonio Iavarone, MD
Patent Information:
Patent Status
Related Publications:
Singh D, Chan JM, Zoppoli P, Niola F, Sullivan R, Castano A, Liu EM, Reichel J, Porrati P, Pellegatta S, Qiu K, Gao Z, Ceccarelli M, Riccardi R, Brat DJ, Guha A, Aldape K, Golfinos JG, Zagzag D, Mikkelsen T, Finocchiaro G, Lasorella A, Rabadan R, Iavarone A. “Transforming fusions of FGFR and TACC genes in human glioblastoma” Science. 2012 Sep 7; 337(6099): 1231-5.
Di Stefano AL, Fucci A, Frattini V, Labussiere M, Mokhtari K, Zoppoli P, Marie Y, Bruno A, Boisselier B, Giry M, Savatovsky J, Touat M, Belaid H, Kamoun A, Idbaih A, Houillier C, Luo FR, Soria JC, Tabernero J, Eoli M, Paterra R, Yip S, Petrecca K, Chan JA, Finocchiaro G, Lasorella A, Sanson M, Iavarone A. “Detection, Characterization, and Inhibition of FGFR-TACC Fusions in IDH Wild-type Glioma” Clin Cancer Res. 2015 Jul 15; 21(14): 3307-17.
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