Background

Sensitive biomarkers obtained from readily accessible tissues such as blood or plasma are needed to detect incipient tumors and enable lifesaving interventions in predisposed individuals.

Technology Overview

Provided herein is a novel type of blood test for the detection of a novel marker of osteosarcoma and other cancers. Specifically, the test enables the detection of an increased level of a specific category of human genomic DNA, the repetitive element (RE) DNAs, in serum or plasma of people with cancers (including serum extracellular vesicle-associated repetitive element DNAs).The utility of the test was demonstrated by the finding that the test can discriminate serum samples from individuals with vs without osteosarcoma and also breast cancer. Thus, the test may be used in several ways, including a) to detect a cancers before the cancer would be detected through the usual clinical presentation. Thus, the method could be used in a cancer-screening regimen in individuals who are predisposed to cancer; b) to monitor therapy response, which is reflected in altered levels of the EV-associated RE-DNAs, and can be a prognostic indicator; c) to monitor tumor recurrence prior to its clinical appearance, in patients who are effectively treated but at risk for relapse.

See associated Publication:

Nature Research Scientific Reports, Extracellular vesicle-associated repetitive element DNAs as candidate osteosarcoma biomarkers, Cambier L. et al. 2021; 11: 94. Published online 2021 Jan 8. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-77398-z

Benefits

This technology provides a more versatile and accurate test than those based on current biomarkers that are limited in utility.

Applications

Cancer screening, definitive cancer diagnosis, treatment response monitoring and risk of cancer relapse.

Opportunity

Looking to partner on development and commercialization.