Compositions for detecting mutant anaplastic lymphoma kinase in lung cancer
US10870892B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 8, 2018 |
| Grant date | Dec 22, 2020 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2333/9121
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Novel gene deletions and translocations involving chromosome 2 resulting in fusion proteins combining part of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK) kinase with part of a secondary protein have been identified herein in human solid tumors, e.g. non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Secondary proteins include Echinoderm Microtubule-Associated Protein-Like 4 (EML-4) and TRK-Fusion Gene (TFC). The EML4-ALK fusion protein, which retains ALK tyrosine kinase activity, was confirmed to drive the proliferation and survival of NSCLC characterized by this mutation. The invention therefore provides, in part, isolated polynucleotides and vectors encoding the disclosed mutant ALK kinase polypeptides, probes for detecting it, isolated mutant polypeptides, recombinant polypeptides, and reagents for detecting the fusion and truncated polypeptides. The disclosed identification of this new fusion protein enables methods for screening for compounds that inhibit the proteins, and methods for inhibiting the progression of a cancer characterized by the mutant polynucleotides or polypeptides.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.