Technology Description
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed an improved method to monitor the progression of lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) and guide treatment decisions. LPDs, including leukemia and lymphoma, are characterized by the abnormal proliferation of blood cells. Different subtypes of LPDs exist and correct diagnosis governs treatment options. Unfortunately, tumor cells can evolve as the disease progresses which may affect treatment. This may be missed by current diagnostics. Thus, new diagnostic methods for LPDs are needed. To help meet this need the inventors have developed this platform technology. The inventors have identified sequences in the CDR3 region of IG receptors that can be used as barcodes to monitor LPDs. The barcodes can be analyzed to track the disease course, follow specific clonal groups and guide treatment decisions. This technology enables easier identification of the LPD subtype and thus more informed patient treatment decisions.
Stage of Research
Validation is ongoing. Initial validation studies show great promise.
Applications
- Prognostic for lymphoproliferative disorders
Key Advantages
- Uses barcode- enables better monitoring of disease progression
- Enables predictive stratification of risk
- Enables more informed treatment decisions
- Overcomes diagnostic limitations that arise due to molecular evolution during treatment of LPD
- Test can be run on DNA samples from a variety of tissues
Patents
- Patent application has been filed.
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