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Granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP) overexpression as a target for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

Granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP) overexpression as a target for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Field
Therapeutic Biologics , Diagnostics
Patent
IP00159

Key Problem and Market Opportunity

  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide, with about half a million new cases and almost as many deaths per year.
  • Surgical resurrection is the major curative treatment available, however due to late detection 80% of these tumors are inoperable.
  • Therefore, there is a need for early diagnosis of HCC for improved survival.
  • Currently, Serum Alpha FetoProteinc(AFP) is widely used for HCC diagnosis, however it only shows sensitivity of 40-60%.
  • Hence, it is essential to develop serological tests for early detection of HCC

Key Advantages of the Technology

Technology Section Slider 1
  • Granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP) is one of the highly expressed genes in HCC with gene locus at 17q21.32.
  • GEP protein is a secretory protein capable of stimulating cell proliferation, and its reduced expression is associated with inhibition of tumorigenic potential.
  • Chromosome gain at 17q is detected in 30-60% of liver cancers, strongly suggesting the presence of growth factor(s)/proto-oncogene(s) at this chromosome arm.
  • Detection rate of serum GEP is higher than AFP (76.5% vs 44%)

Potential Product and Services

  • Prognostic and diagnostic serum biomarkers for HCC

Development status and IP Strength

  • CN Patent No. ZL200580013799.7
  • CN Patent No. ZL200780040670.4
  • Antibodies Available

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