Technology

Early detection of cancer is essential for successful disease management. In response, considerable research has gone into the development of cancer diagnostics that detect cancer even before the manifestation of clinical symptoms. Biomarkers, in particular, have proven not only useful in following the course of cancer, but also for evaluating which therapeutic strategies are most effective for a particular type of cancer, as well as determining long-term susceptibility to cancer or its recurrence. More specifically, following on the observation that the immune system serves as a sentinel system for the state of the body, a tremendous amount of work has gone into the detection of the proteins produced by the cancer microenvironment as well as the detection of autoantibodies produced in the immune response to these proteins.

In the development of diagnostic biomarkers, it became clear that tests dependent on single cancer markers were not adequate to identify tumor bearing patients in an at-risk screening population. Rather, the field identified that panels of analytes would be required to produce clinical tests with sufficient sensitivity and specificity for the early detection of cancer. The approach of diagnostic tests based on the autoantibody approach is now to develop whole proteome-based technologies to accurately identify those protein biomarkers recognized by the cancer-specific immune system.

To that end, Dr. Nagele has developed a protein microarray technology to identify specific subsets of antibodies in human sera that could be useful for the early detection and diagnosis of multiple cancers. Individual sets of cancer—specific protein targets have been identified and spotted onto protein microarrays simultaneously to form a multi-cancer early detection and diagnostic assay. Serum from human blood samples can be used to probe these custom microarrays and evaluated to reveal specific patterns of autoantibody reactivity that are indicative of existing cancers. Thus, this will enable the simultaneous diagnosis and early detection of many cancer types. Autoantibody profiles in the blood can be effectively used to accurately diagnose cancers based on the identification of disease-specific autoantibody and target antigen profiles.

Potential Application

Aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of a variety of various cancers.

Opportunity

The global cancer diagnostic field is enormous and is expected to reach 249.6 billion USD by 2026 reflecting a 7% growth in the market. This growth is fueled by a continuous introduction of new innovative products which is coupled with increasing need for early diagnosis. Moreover, the rising incidence of cancer is increasing the demand for screening tests and imaging modalities used for monitoring disease progression.

Rowan University is looking for a partner for further development and commercialization of this technology through a license.