Description:
- Cancer research
- Cancer treatment
Abstract
USC researchers have developed a technique to determine the molecular subtype of a breast cancer tumor in archival samples. This in vitro, RNA-based, multi-parameter molecular diagnostic method has been extensively tested on challenging aged and degraded tissue samples to optimize the choice of probes. The technique has proven successful even on 20- and 30-year old samples.
Benefit
- Categorizes tumor molecular subtype even in aged and degraded samples
- Provides valuable information about archival tissue samples
Market Application
In breast cancer treatment, molecular studies are often used to further confirm diagnosis, establish prognosis, and predict therapeutic response. These studies are most effective on fresh tissue and are less accurate on archival samples that may be old or degraded. However, archival samples offer a wealth of information; tissue banks of archival samples with associated outcome data could be a retrospective source of discovery for cancer subtype variations. A method to determine the molecular subtype of archival tissue could significantly expand available cancer data.
Publications
In progress
Other
Stage of Development
- Diagnostic method developed
- Tested in 20-year-old UAMS and 30-year-old SWOG tissue samples
- Available for licensing
Intellectual Property Status
Patent pending: US, Canada, Europe, Japan