OPPORTUNITY

Acute myeloid leukemia is a cancer of the blood, bone marrow and other tissues. Although treatment for acute myeloid leukemia has improved, it is only curable in 35-40% of people 60 years old or younger and in 5-15% of patients over the age of 60. Median survival of patients that do not receive intensive chemotherapy is only 5-10 months. In 2016 there will be an estimated 20,000 new cases of acute myeloid leukemia with more than 10,000 deaths as a result of acute myeloid leukemia. There is significant biological heterogeneity contributing to differential disease presentation and prognosis in acute myeloid leukemia implicating the need to individualize treatment. Identification of biomarkers that are associated with types of acute myeloid leukemia will dramatically improve treatment of patients and families struggling with this disease.

BREAKTHROUGH IN DIAGNOSIS OF ACUTE MYELOID LEUKEMIA

Researchers at the University of South Alabama have identified the use of the ratio of SON isoforms to diagnose acute myeloid leukemia. SON binds to DNA near transcription start sites (promoter region of the gene) and exerts its function in transcriptional repression of multiple target genes in the cells. Importantly, these researchers have revealed that alternatively spliced short isoforms of SON are markedly upregulated in acute myeloid leukemia patients. This group has developed a method for determining the ratio of SON isoforms in peripheral blood or bone marrow biopsy samples from the patient. This method can detect the relative ratio of SON isoforms present in the cells. This ratio can be used as a biomarker of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

•  Reliably diagnosis acute myeloid leukemia based on a blood test

•  Quick and easy diagnostic screening test

•  Biomarker of acute myeloid leukemia

•  Permits the selection of the ideal drug for treatment

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY STATUS

Patent Filed