A Recurrence Gene Signature Across Multiple Cancer Types - (HJF 518-18)

Researchers at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), Windber Research Institute (CSSIMMW) and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC) have analyzed a set of biomarkers to identify specific gene signatures that may be predictive for recurrence in breast and ovarian cancers.

Applications and Advantages

Pan-cancer analysis of gene signatures
Signatures to determine the risk of recurrence for women with basal-like breast cancers (BLBC)
Signatures can also be used to risk stratify patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC)

Innovation Description

This technology identified and finalized a thirty-one (31) gene signature that can predict recurrence of multiple cancer types, such as Basal-like breast cancer (BLBC) and high grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) (Fig. 1) .

Fig.1 Application of BLBC signature to predict recurrence risk (RI-high and RI-low groups) in the TCGA BLBC, CBCP BLBC, and TCGA HGSOC cohorts, as measured by progression-free interval (PFI).

From the pan-cancer analysis perspective, emerging evidence suggests that cancer may not be confined to specific organs, as traditionally believed. Studies have reported molecular similarities among basal-like breast cancer, high grade serous ovarian cancer, and lung squamous cell carcinoma. These molecular signatures could serve as digital filters to screen molecular and clinical data from other cancer types, enabling the identification of molecularly similar cancer types and subtypes, with clinical implication for therapy selection.

Inventors

Hai Hu, Ph.D., CSSIMMW
Yi Zhang, Ph.D., Independent consultant
Praveen Kumar Raj Kumar, Ph.D., CSSIMMW
Xiaoying Lin, Ph.D., CSSIMMW
Albert Kovatich, M.S., HJF
Craig D. Shriver, M.D., FACS, USU

Innovation Status

Proof-of-principle and initial validation of the gene signatures were performed using BLBC and HGSOC datasets. Please see Breast Cancer Res Treat 184, 689–698 (2020). Subsequent work has led to the development of a refined 31-gene signature.