A Rapid Assay Using Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) to Test for 5-fluorouracil Dosing and Efficacy

Scientists at JHU have developed a functional assay for a class of widely used anti-cancer drugs, 5-fluorouracil and related compounds (5FU). The assay is based on Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) of any neoplastic lesion from a patient being treated with 5FU, and processing of the material for thymidylate synthase (TS) analysis. The assay was developed to measure the degree to which TS is inhibited in tissue biopsies by 5FU and related drugs. The major novel aspect of this assay and utility is that it can detect in real-time, quickly and efficiently, the efficacy of 5FU in patients. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) Assays for TS inhibition are useful 1) to monitor 5FU effects and drug resistance in animal testing or in patients receiving anticancer treatments; 2) to identify compounds having anticancer effects similar or superior to 5FU; 3) to identify compounds that can enhance 5FU anticancer activities; 4) to distinguish whether a cancer is truly resistant to 5FU or instead has not received adequate exposure to the drug; and 5) to select patients for optimal therapeutic regimens.

Inventor(s): Kern, Scott

Type of Offer: Licensing



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