Serum Angiogenic Factors as Prognostic Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer

Novelty:
Identification of two diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers whose levels in serum were associated with the presence of aggressive prostate cancer.
 
Value Proposition:
Currently, no clear test exists to accurately determine the aggressiveness of prostate cancer. This technology is capable of identifying the aggressiveness of a prostate cancer, leading to more tailored treatment options. Other advantages include:

• Non-invasive test can be developed by testing serum levels of biomarkers.
• Accurate diagnosis of aggressiveness reduces over-treatment, minimizing harmful side-effects and costs.
• Growing prostate cancer diagnostic market as the average age of males increase globally. 

Technical Details:
Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered two serum prognostic biomarkers for aggressive prostate cancer. These biomarkers not only signal the presence of prostate cancer, but also indicate whether they are aggressive and require immediate treatment. The inventors first evaluated the analytical performance of a multiplex assay system in serum for composite profiling of multiple candidate biomarkers and confirmed that the assay system is a reliable platform for discovery of prostate cancer prognostic biomarkers. Next, the inventors applied the assay system to sera from prostate cancer patients with different tumor stages that correlate with clinical outcome. The expression levels of two of the biomarkers change in patients with aggressive prostate cancer, with one significantly elevated and the other suppressed.  This invention can be developed into biomarker tests to clinically identify aggressive prostate cancer.
 
Stage of Development:
Preclinical
 
Publication(s):

• Clin Chim Acta. 2012 Oct 9; 413(0): 1506–1511.
• US20150276746

Category(s):