Markers for Abnormal Cell

Categories: “Cancer Therapeutics“, “Research Tools“

Reference: 2014-017

OTC Contact: Tracy Bruehs, M.S., J.D. (Directory Information | Send a Message)

INVENTION

A clinical assay to measure matriptase elevation as an indicator of abnormal lymphoid and myeloid cells that may develop into tumors.

APPLICATIONS

• Detecting presence or absence of certain tumor cells in human blood
• Monitoring tumor growth
• Monitoring the progression of a treatment for abnormal cells

ADVANTAGES

• Extremely inexpensive, costing as little as $10 in consumables and reagents
• Rapid and sensitive detection
• Early detection – biomarker-based screening allows healthcare workers to begin treatment based on the measured activated matriptase levels in blood, beforethere are detectable measurable signs of a condition marked by the presence of abnormal cells in the subject.
• Simple yet versatile kit for determining the presence or absence of abnormal lymphoid cells or abnormal myeloid cells in a cell sample from a subject using venous whole blood or bone marrow

BACKROUND

Matriptase is a protease that has been shown to play a role through the degradation of extracellular matrices in metastatic invasive cancers.  Matriptase is generally not expressed on lymphoid or myeloid cells in whole blood, thus if there is an elevation in matriptase levels in sample where its activity has been induced, this is an indicator of abnormal lymphoid or myeloid cell presence.

This technology also allows for the development of kits to monitor the progression of abnormal lymphoid or myeloid cells in a subject over time by means of monitoring matriptase levels from various samples taken at different time points to monitor disease status, relapse, and/or determine therapeutic effectiveness.

STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT

Reduction to practice in blood samples proving concept and assay. Also, kits for determining the presence or absence of abnormal lymphoid or myeloid cells in a cell sample from a subject have been proposed, using standard clinical laboratory equipment and off-the-shelf reagents and compositions.

PATENT STATUS

US Utility Issued January 8, 2019
10,175,238

INVENTORS

Michael D. Johnson, Chen-Yong Lin, and Fan-Pai Chou