A Novel Tumor Suppressor Gene

BACKGROUND: Tumor suppressor genes are genes that, when damaged, fail to suppress tumorigenesis. Typically, tumor suppressor genes are genes that, in their wild-type alleles, express proteins that suppress abnormal cellular proliferation. When the gene coding for a tumor suppressor protein is mutated or deleted, the resulting mutant protein or the complete lack of tumor suppressor protein expression may fail to correctly regulate cellular proliferation, and abnormal cellular proliferation may take place, particularly if there are coincidental perturbations of other cellular regulatory mechanisms. Because loss of function or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes may play a central role in the initiation and/or progression of a significant number of human cancers, there is a need for the identification of additional tumor suppressor genes in order to further improve diagnosis and therapy.

DESCRIPTION: Researchers at the University of California have identified a novel tumor suppressor gene, called H37. The evaluation of the status of the H37 gene provides information useful in diagnostic and prognostic protocols to assess the status of cells that may have disregulated growth. In addition, methods involving the H37 gene may be utilized in a therapeutic context in a manner analogous to therapeutic methods used with other tumor suppressor genes, such as introduction of polypeptides or oligonucleotides containing the H37 gene. Methods for the use of H37 in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer are available. Diagnostic kits based on H37 expression are also available.

ADVANTAGES: The identification of H37 provides the basis for a variety of diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics for cancer.

APPLICATIONS:

* Diagnostics for cancers, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancer.

* Prognostics to assess the status, severity, and likelihood of developing breast, ovarian, and lung cancer.

* Therapeutics for the treatment of cancers, including breast, ovarian, and lung cancer.

* Research tools to characterize the role of H37 in normal physiological processes as well as its associated pathological conditions including aberrant cell growth such as cancer.

REFERENCE: 1999-402

Patents:
US 6,929,910   [MORE INFO]

Type of Offer: Licensing



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