Mutations of the ERBB4 Gene in Melanoma

Technology Bundle IDTAB-2055 Mutations of the ERBB4 Gene in MelanomaApplicationsDiagnosticsLinked IDE-272-2008-0Lead InventorsYardena Samuels (NHGRI)Development StatusThe technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.Therapeutic AreasOncologyICsNHGRICutaneous malignant melanoma is the most common fatal skin cancer, and the incidence of this disease increases each year. The average survival time for patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma is less than ten months. Consequently, it is important to identify and understand genetic alterations leading to malignant melanoma so that new treatments strategies can be developed. Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) have been associated with a wide variety of cancers, including melanoma. Using high-throughput gene sequencing, the NIH inventors have analyzed PTKs in melanoma and have identified several novel somatic alterations, including alterations in ERBB4. This invention provides methods of identifying specific inhibitors to ERBB4 that could be used to treat patients with ERBB4 mutations. Given the recent success of small molecule protein kinase inhibitors and specifically inhibitors to EGFR, this invention could be used further the development of specific inhibitors to ERBB4 and improve existing melanoma treatments for patients with these mutations.Commercial ApplicationsDiagnostic array for the detection of ERBB4 mutations.Method of identifying ERBB4 inhibitors as therapeutic agents to treat malignant melanoma pat...
Source: NIH OTT Licensing Opportunities - Category: Research Authors: Source Type: research