Novel Markers for the Treatment and Diagnosis of Chronic Lumphocytic Leukemia (CLL)

Background

Therapeutic options for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) are limited, and in most cases ineffective, or with a limited period of effectiveness. Relapse of the disease often occurs and patients acquire resistance, not only to the drug used, but to other drugs as well. Moreover, a specific marker for CLL does not exist on the market today. Patients ‘wait and see’ if the symptoms progress in the early stages of the disease before a diagnosis is made. Instead of being treated immediately, the disease could lurk for years.

Technology Description

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a novel technology to diagnose CLL. They have demonstrated an enhanced expression of phosphodiesterase isoform 7B (PDE7B) in lymphocytes of CLL patients. Thus PDE7B can be used as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis of CLL.

Features of this technology include:

• PDE7B mRNA and protein levels are increased in CLL patients to up to 70- and 90-fold, respectively.
• Potential therapeutic agents comprise PDE7B inhibitors, antagonists, and antibodies.

State Of Development

• Increase in PDE7B levels has been detected in CLL patients.
• This technology is offered exclusively or nonexclusively in the U.S.
  

Advantages

• Technology can be used in the form of a kit for CLL diagnostics.
• Potential CLL therapy by inhibiting PDE7B, resulting in apoptosis of CLL lymphocytes.

Related Materials

• Zhang, L., et al., Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase Profiling Reveals Increased Expression of Phosphodiesterase 7B in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 2008. 105(49): p. 19532-7.
• News release at http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/health/04-09AACR.asp
• Zhang L, Murray F, Rassenti LZ, Pu M, Kelly C, Kanter JR, Greaves A, Messer K, Kipps TJ, Insel PA. Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 7B mRNA: an unfavorable characteristic in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Int J Cancer. 2011 Sep 1;129(5):1162-9. doi: 10.1002/ijc.25785. Epub 2011 Feb 11.

Intellectual Property Info

Patent application (No. 12/960,955) allowance granted.

Patent Status