Identification of cancer stem cell markers and use of inhibitors thereof to treat cancer
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsSendurai A. MANI, Brett G. HOLLIER, Kurt W. EVANS, Steven J. WERDEN, Tapasree Roy SARKAR, Agata TINNIRELLO
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Abstract
The present invention provides biomarkers of cancer stem cells, as well as cells that have undergone EMT. In addition, the present invention provides methods of treating patients determined to comprise cancer stem cells with PDGFR-β inhibitors to eliminate the cancer stem cells. Methods of predicting sensitivity to PDGFR-β inhibitors, monitoring efficacy of treatment, and determining a prognosis are also provided.
Claims20
A method of treating a patient comprising:
- (a) selecting a patient determined to comprise cancer stem cells;
- and
- (b) treating the patient with an effective amount of a PDGFR-β inhibitor, thereby inhibiting the cancer stem cells.
A method of predicting sensitivity of a cancer in a patient to PDGFR-β inhibitors comprising:
- (a) obtaining a sample of the cancer;
- and
- (b) assaying to determine a level of FOXC2 or PDGFR-β expression in the sample, wherein if the level of FOXC2 or PDGFR-β is elevated relative to a reference level, then the cancer is predicted to be sensitive to a PDGFR-β inhibitor or wherein if the level of FOXC2 or PDGFR-β is not elevated relative to a reference level, then the cancer is not predicted to be sensitive to a PDGFR-β inhibitor.
A method of monitoring the efficacy of PDGFR-β treatment on a cancer comprising:
- (a) obtaining samples of the cancer from at least two time points during the course of treatment;
- (b) assaying the FOXC2 or PDGFR-β expression level in the samples;
- and
- (c) comparing the FOXC2 or PDGFR-β expression levels, wherein the PDGFR-β pathway inhibitor treatment is efficacious if the FOXC2 or PDGFR-β expression level decreases over the course of treatment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.