Patents by Inventor Maher Albitar

Maher Albitar has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180305770
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 10100365
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is based on the identification of novel mutations in the JAK2 gene and JAK2 protein. The invention provides compositions and methods useful for diagnosing hematopoietic diseases including, for example, myeloproliferative diseases. The invention also provides compositions and methods useful for determining a prognosis of an individual diagnosed as having a hematopoietic disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Maher Albitar, Wanlong Ma
  • Patent number: 10093980
    Abstract: Truncation variants of BCR-ABL mRNA that produces BCR-ABL proteins with a truncated C-terminus and its role in resistance to treatment with kinase inhibitors is described. Vectors for expressing the truncated gene products are described as well as recombinant cells that express the truncated gene products from cDNA constructs. Also provided are methods compositions and kits for detecting the BCR-ABL truncation variants. Also provided are methods for determining the prognosis of a patient diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disease, and methods for predicting the likelihood for resistance to a treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor in a patient diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disease. Additionally, methods for screening BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase domain inhibitors which rely on the recombinant cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Maher Albitar, Wanlong Ma
  • Patent number: 10093985
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Patent number: 10067133
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of classifying cluster of differentiation (CD) marker phenotype for hematopoietic cancer cells using multiple circulating cell-free CD markers in bodily fluid. In other aspects, treatment and disease progression of particular hematopoietic cancers can be monitored by measuring the levels of CD and other markers in bodily fluids of a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventor: Maher Albitar
  • Patent number: 10018638
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunology and hyperproliferative diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of detecting and monitoring therapeutic antibody:antigen complex, soluble antigen and soluble therapeutic antibody, wherein a patient has undergone at least one course of immunotherapy. Yet further, levels of therapeutic antibody:antigen complexes, soluble antigens or soluble therapeutic antibodies may be measured and used to stage or monitor a hyperproliferative disease.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Maher Albitar, Michael J. Keating, Taghi Manshouri
  • Publication number: 20180163274
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the diagnosis, or management of liver diseases, e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma, using profiles of the miRNAs determined from cellular or acellular body fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Kevin Qu, Ke Zhang, Maher Albitar
  • Patent number: 9957573
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for the diagnosis and evaluation of neoplastic disorders, particularly non-small cell lung cancer. Assays are described in which patient test samples are analyzed for the presence of one or more specific EML4-ALK fusion genes associated with neoplastic disorders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20180045736
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of immunology and hyperproliferative diseases. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of detecting and monitoring therapeutic antibody:antigen complex, soluble antigen and soluble therapeutic antibody, wherein a patient has undergone at least one course of immunotherapy. Yet further, levels of therapeutic antibody:antigen complexes, soluble antigens or soluble therapeutic antibodies may be measured and used to stage or monitor a hyperproliferative disease.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Maher ALBITAR, Michael J. KEATING, Taghi MANSHOURI
  • Publication number: 20180031561
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for diagnosing a patient as having a myeloproliferative disease by identifying mutations in the MPL gene or gene products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Wanlong Ma, Maher Albitar
  • Publication number: 20180003714
    Abstract: A splice variant of bcr-abl mRNA that produces BCR-ABL protein with a truncated C-terminus and its role in resistance to treatment with kinase inhibitors is disclosed. Vectors for expressing the truncated gene product are provided as well as recombinant cells that express the truncated gene product from a cDNA construct. Also provided are methods compositions and kits for detecting the BCR-ABL splice variant. Additionally, methods for screening BCR-ABL kinase domain inhibitors which rely on the recombinant cells and methods of predicting likelihood for resistance of a CML patient with a BCR/ABL translocation respond to treatment with one or more BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventor: Maher Albitar
  • Patent number: 9840741
    Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the diagnosis, or management of liver diseases, e.g. hepatocellular carcinoma, using profiles of the miRNAs determined from cellular or acellular body fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Kevin Qu, Ke Zhang, Maher Albitar
  • Patent number: 9733249
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for diagnosing a patient as having a myeloproliferative disease by identifying mutations in the MPL gene or gene products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Wanlong Ma, Maher Albitar
  • Patent number: 9702877
    Abstract: A splice variant of bcr-abl mRNA that produces BCR-ABL protein with a truncated C-terminus and its role in resistance to treatment with kinase inhibitors is disclosed. Vectors for expressing the truncated gene product are provided as well as recombinant cells that express the truncated gene product from a cDNA construct. Also provided are methods compositions and kits for detecting the BCR-ABL splice variant. Additionally, methods for screening BCR-ABL kinase domain inhibitors which rely on the recombinant cells and methods of predicting likelihood for resistance of a CML patient with a BCR/ABL translocation respond to treatment with one or more BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Maher Albitar
  • Publication number: 20170152572
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investment Incorporated
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20170137884
    Abstract: Truncation variants of BCR-ABL mRNA that produces BCR-ABL proteins with a truncated C-terminus and its role in resistance to treatment with kinase inhibitors is described. Vectors for expressing the truncated gene products are described as well as recombinant cells that express the truncated gene products from cDNA constructs. Also provided are methods compositions and kits for detecting the BCR-ABL truncation variants. Also provided are methods for determining the prognosis of a patient diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disease, and methods for predicting the likelihood for resistance to a treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitor in a patient diagnosed as having myeloproliferative disease. Additionally, methods for screening BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase domain inhibitors which rely on the recombinant cells are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Applicant: Quest Diagnostics Investments Incorporated
    Inventors: Maher Albitar, Wanlong Ma
  • Publication number: 20170051357
    Abstract: A method for predicting resistance to BTK inhibitors in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) enhances the sensitivity of Sanger sequencing and NGS by using wild-type blocking of genes that are relevant for detecting resistance to ibrutinib. Further enhancement of sensitivity can be achieved by using cell-free DNA.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Inventor: Maher Albitar
  • Patent number: 9546404
    Abstract: Described herein are methods, compositions and kits directed to the detection of gene dysregulations such as those arising from gene fusions and/or chromosomal abnormalities, e.g., translocations, insertions, inversions and deletions. Samples containing dysregulated gene(s) of interest may show independent expression patterns for the 5? and 3? regions of the gene. The methods, compositions and kits are useful for detecting mutations that cause the differential expression of a 5? portion of a target gene relative to the 3? region of the target gene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INVESTMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Heather R. Sanders, Maher Albitar, Aurelia Meloni-Ehrig
  • Publication number: 20170002427
    Abstract: A method for increasing sensitivity for detecting minority mutations in MYD88 uses a locked nucleic acid oligo to block amplification of wild-type DNA in DNA isolated from patient FFPE tissue, bone marrow aspirate or peripheral blood samples during PCR while still allowing sequencing and visualization of the PCR product. Further improvement to the sensitivity may be achieved by using a uracil DNA-glycosylase treatment to remove sequence artifacts commonly found in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2016
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventor: Maher Albitar
  • Publication number: 20160340725
    Abstract: A method for detecting a low-occurrence mutation in isolated DNA adds a blocking probe to reagents during amplification of the isolated DNA. The blocking probe is an oligonucleotide complementary to wild-type DNA corresponding to the sample. The blocking probe spans a site of a suspected mutation within a region of interest in the isolated DNA. After amplification, fragments of the amplified DNA is sequenced using next generating sequencing and an output is generated to display the sequenced fragments. In some embodiments, the blocking probe is locked nucleic acid (LNA).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventor: Maher Albitar