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MicroRNA markers for oral cancer prognosis

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This technology is a set of microRNA-based markers for mortality risk assessment for patients with early stage oral cancer.

Unmet Need: Molecular characterization of oral cancers

Oral cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer, presenting high mortality rates and growing incidence among younger people. However, there remains a limited understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the inception and proliferation of oral cancers. In order to better stratify patients with oral cancers based on their mortality risk, prognostic molecular biomarkers of the disease must be identified. Once identified as ‘high-risk’, these individuals can receive additional treatments to improve overall survival.

The Technology: MicroRNA markers for oral cancer diagnosis and evaluation

This technology is a series of prognostic microRNA signatures of oral cancer mortality risk, identified with next generation sequencing. MicroRNA are an attractive candidate for studying oral cancer progression because they regulate many cellular processes disrupted by the disease. The microRNA signatures are incorporated into a 5-plex prognostic model to assign a mortality risk score to patients. As a result, this is a promising tool for identifying mortality risk in oral cancer patients and helping to develop successful treatment protocols for those at high-risk of cancer-specific mortality.

This technology has been validated with heterogeneous populations in the Northeastern US, Midwestern US, and Hawaii.

Applications:

  • Prognostic testing for early-stage oral cancer
  • Prognostic model for other forms of cancer
  • Mortality risk assessment for oral cancer patients
  • Preventative assessment for patients at elevated risk of developing oral cancers
  • Personalized oral cancer treatment

Advantages:

  • Validated across large population samples
  • Identifies microRNA biomarkers relevant to many cellular processes affected by the disease
  • Combines microRNA signatures with clinical information (TNM stage and histologic grade) into a 5-plex prognostic model
  • Can be improved through incorporation of additional microRNA biomarkers
  • Can be adapted to other prognostic cancer models through appropriate microRNA identification

Lead Inventor:

Angela J. Yoon, D.D.S.

Related Publications:

Yoon AJ*, Wang S, Wang T, Kutler DI, LaRoche D, Philipone E, Peters SM, Hernandez B, McDowell BD, Stewart CR, Santella RM. MicroRNA-based risk scoring system to identify early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma patients at high-risk for cancer-specific mortality. Head Neck 2019 (in press)

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