Prognosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer

Spot 14, also known as thyroid hormone-responsive Spot 14 (THRSP) or S14, is a primarily nuclear protein that is abundant in tissues active in long chain fatty acid synthesis, including the lactating mammary gland. It has been shown that the S14 gene is located on chromosome 11q13 and is overexpressed in most breast cancers.



Dartmouth researchers have now found that S14 is a marker for aggressive breast cancers. High-level S14 expression exhibits a strong positive correlation with tumor grade in both in situ and invasive cases, and is also associated with larger tumor size. Further, S14 overexpression is not acquired during tumor progression and the S14 score does not co-segregate with that of the conventional tumor markers (sex steroid receptors, Her2/neu) or cyclin D1. Most importantly, the S14 expression score of the primary tumor showed a striking association with recurrence over prolonged follow-up. In addition, S14 expression has now been shown to be required for the growth and survival of breast cancer cells, as inhibiting the expression of S14 induces apoptosis. Accordingly, in addition to being useful as a prognostic marker, S14 is also useful as a target for therapeutic agents in the prevention and treatment of breast cancer.



This technology is claimed in a pending patent application. We are seeking an industrial partner interested in its commercialization.

(Ref: J307

Type of Offer: Licensing



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