Rosetta Genomics announced today that it has received a grant from the European Patent Office for a patent claiming the use of miR-34a for the preparation of pharmaceuticals to treat p53-negative cancers. A core element of Rosetta Genomics’ microRNA technology in the development of p53-negative-related cancer therapeutics is covered in the issued claims. The patent is owned jointly with Yeda, a technology transfer company of the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel.
The p53 protein, a sequence-specific transcription factor, functions as a major tumor suppressor in mammals. One of the most frequent genetic alterations in human cancer is the inactivation of the p53’s tumor-suppression function, and almost half of all human tumors carry p53 gene mutations within their cells. The new patent covers the invention disclosing the finding that miR-34a – a direct transcriptional target of p53 – has anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities, which contribute to the tumor-suppressor effects of activated p53.
The overexpression of miR-34a promotes anti-proliferative effects and contributes to cell death, while inactivation of miR-34a decreases p53-mediated cell death. miR-34a is, therefore, a direct transcriptional target of p53 and may mediate some of this tumor suppressor’s biological effects. The perturbation of miR-34a expression may resultantly contribute to tumorigenesis.
Rosetta Genomics offers a series of microRNA-based diagnostic products called miRview that accurately diagnose various types of cancers. The company estimates that in the U.S. alone, more than 300,000 patients each year could benefit from some of the various miRview tests, and more than 1 million patients across the globe can benefit from miRview’s lung test alone.
Rosetta Genomics is a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics. The company’s integrative research platform, combining bioinformatics and cutting-edge laboratory processes, has led to the discovery of hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Leveraging its strong patent position and proprietary platform technologies, the company is in the process of applying these technologies to the development and commercialization of a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic tools. Rosetta Genomics’ miRview product line is available commercially through the company’s Philadelphia-based, CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified lab.
For more information, visit www.rosettagenomics.com
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