USE OF GENOMIC SIGNATURES TO PREDICT RESPONSIVENESS OF PATIENTS WITH PROSTATE CANCER TO POST-OPERATIVE RADIATION THERAPY
Methods, compositions, and kits for identifying individuals who will be responsive to post-operative radiation therapy for treatment of prostate cancer are disclosed. In particular, the invention relates to a genomic signature based on expression levels of DNA Damage Repair genes that can be used to identify individuals likely to benefit from post-operative radiation therapy after a prostatectomy.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. Application No. 16/327,260, filed Feb. 21, 2019, which is the U.S. National Phase of PCT Application No. PCT/US2017/048486, filed Aug. 24, 2017, which claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Serial No. 62/379,178, filed Aug. 24, 2016, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
INCORPORATION OF SEQUENCE LISTINGThe material in the accompanying sequence listing is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. The accompanying sequence listing file, name GENDX_014C1_Sequence_Listing.xml, was created on Aug. 15, 2002, and is 1.69 MB.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention pertains to the field of personalized medicine and methods for treating prostate cancer. In particular, the invention relates to the use of genomic signatures to identify individuals in need of treatment for prostate cancer who will be responsive to post-operative radiation therapy.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells anywhere in a body. The abnormal cells are termed cancer cells, malignant cells, or tumor cells. Many cancers and the abnormal cells that compose the cancer tissue are further identified by the name of the tissue that the abnormal cells originated from (for example, prostate cancer). Cancer cells can proliferate uncontrollably and form a mass of cancer cells. Cancer cells can break away from this original mass of cells, travel through the blood and lymph systems, and lodge in other organs where they can again repeat the uncontrolled growth cycle. This process of cancer cells leaving an area and growing in another body area is often termed metastatic spread or metastatic disease. For example, if prostate cancer cells spread to a bone (or anywhere else), it can mean that the individual has metastatic prostate cancer.
Standard clinical parameters such as tumor size, grade, lymph node involvement and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging (American Joint Committee on Cancer) may correlate with outcome and serve to stratify patients with respect to (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy, immunotherapy, antibody therapy and/or radiotherapy regimens. Incorporation of molecular markers in clinical practice may define tumor subtypes that are more likely to respond to targeted therapy. However, stage-matched tumors grouped by histological or molecular subtypes may respond differently to the same treatment regimen. Additional key genetic and epigenetic alterations may exist with important etiological contributions. A more detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways at work in cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment (TME) could dramatically improve the design of novel anti-tumor drugs and inform the selection of optimal therapeutic strategies. The development and implementation of diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers to characterize the biology of each tumor may assist clinicians in making important decisions with regard to individual patient care and treatment.
This background information is provided for the purpose of making known information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is based on the discovery of a genomic signature that is useful for identifying individuals who will be responsive to post-operative radiation therapy for treatment of prostate cancer. In particular, the invention relates to a genomic signature based on expression levels of DNA damage repair genes that can be used to identify individuals likely to benefit from post-operative radiation therapy after a prostatectomy. The methods of the present invention are useful for generating a Post-Operative Radiation Therapy Outcome Score (PORTOS) to predict response to radiation therapy in prostate cancer patients.
In one aspect, the invention includes a method of predicting response to post-operative radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the method comprising: a) providing a biological sample comprising prostate cancer cells from a subject; b) assaying a level of expression of a plurality of genes in the biological sample, wherein said plurality of genes comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2; c) calculating a post-operative radiation therapy outcome score (PORTOS) based on the levels of expression of the plurality of genes in the biological sample to determine whether or not the subject is likely to benefit from the post-operative radiation therapy. A PORTOS greater than 0 (i.e., high PORTOS) indicates that a subject will benefit from post-operative radiation therapy, whereas a PORTOS of less than or equal to 0 (i.e., low PORTOS) indicates that a subject will not benefit from post-operative radiation therapy.
In one embodiment, the plurality of genes comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. In another embodiment, the plurality of genes comprises DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. In another embodiment, the plurality of genes is selected from DRAM1 and KRT14; DRAM1, KRT14 and PTPN22; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22 and ZMAT3; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3 and ARHGAP15; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15 and IL1B; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B and ANLN; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN and RPS27A; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A and MUM1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1 and TOP2A; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A and GNG11; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11 and CDKN3; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3 and HCLS1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1 and DTL; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL and IL7R; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R and UBA7; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7 and NEK1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1 and CDKN2AIP; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP and APEX2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2 and KIF23; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23 and SULF2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2 and PLK2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2 and EME1; and DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1 and BIN2.
In certain embodiments, the method is performed after the patient undergoes a radical prostatectomy. The method is preferably performed prior to treatment of the subject with radiation therapy to determine if the subject will benefit from radiation therapy or should be administered some other anti-cancer treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, biologic therapy, or a combination thereof). The method may also be performed while the subject is undergoing radiation therapy to help evaluate whether continued treatment is likely to be efficacious.
The biological sample obtained from a patient is typically a biopsy or tumor sample, but can be any sample from bodily fluids or tissue of the patient that contains cancerous cells. In certain embodiments, nucleic acids comprising sequences from genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2, or complements thereof, are further isolated from the biological sample, and/or purified, and/or amplified prior to analysis.
The prostate cancer can be any type of prostate cancer, including but not limited to, adenocarcinoma, small cell prostate cancer, non-small cell prostate cancer, neuroendocrine prostate cancer, or metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. Additionally, the prostate cancer may be biochemically recurrent or metastatic prostate cancer.
The expression levels of biomarker nucleic acids can be determined by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, microarray analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a Northern blot, and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE).
In one aspect, the method further comprises prescribing and/or administering the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates that the subject will benefit from the radiation therapy, or prescribing and/or administering a cancer treatment other than the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates the subject will not benefit from the post-operative radiation therapy.
In one aspect, the invention includes a method of predicting response to post-operative radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the method comprising: a) providing a biological sample comprising prostate cancer cells from a subject; b) assaying a level of expression of a plurality of genes in the biological sample, wherein said plurality of genes comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2; c) calculating a post-operative radiation therapy outcome score (PORTOS) based on the levels of expression of the plurality of genes in the biological sample to determine whether or not the subject is likely to benefit from the post-operative radiation therapy. A PORTOS greater than 0 (i.e., high PORTOS) indicates that a subject will benefit from post-operative radiation therapy, whereas a PORTOS of less than or equal to 0 (i.e., low PORTOS) indicates that a subject will not benefit from post-operative radiation therapy.
In one aspect, the method further comprises prescribing and/or administering the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates that the subject will benefit from the radiation therapy, or prescribing and/or administering a cancer treatment other than the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates the subject will not benefit from the post-operative radiation therapy.
In one aspect, the method further comprises prescribing and/or administering the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates that the subject will benefit from the radiation therapy, or prescribing and/or administering a cancer treatment other than the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates the subject will not benefit from the post-operative radiation therapy.
In one embodiment, the plurality of genes comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. In another embodiment, the plurality of genes comprises DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. In another embodiment, the plurality of genes is selected from DRAM1 and KRT14; DRAM1, KRT14 and PTPN22; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22 and ZMAT3; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3 and ARHGAP15; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15 and IL1B; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B and ANLN; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN and RPS27A; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A and MUM1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1 and TOP2A; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A and GNG11; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11 and CDKN3; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3 and HCLS1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1 and DTL; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL and IL7R; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R and UBA7; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7 and NEK1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1 and CDKN2AIP; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP and APEX2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2 and KIF23; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23 and SULF2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2 and PLK2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2 and EME1; and DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1 and BIN2.
In certain embodiments, the method is performed after the patient undergoes a radical prostatectomy. The method is preferably performed prior to treatment of the subject with radiation therapy to determine if the subject will benefit from radiation therapy or should be administered some other anti-cancer treatment (e.g., chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, biologic therapy, or a combination thereof). The method may also be performed while the subject is undergoing radiation therapy to help evaluate whether continued treatment is likely to be efficacious.
The biological sample obtained from a patient is typically a biopsy or tumor sample, but can be any sample from bodily fluids or tissue of the patient that contains cancerous cells. In certain embodiments, nucleic acids comprising sequences from genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2, or complements thereof, are further isolated from the biological sample, and/or purified, and/or amplified prior to analysis.
The prostate cancer can be any type of prostate cancer, including but not limited to, adenocarcinoma, small cell prostate cancer, non-small cell prostate cancer, neuroendocrine prostate cancer, or metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer. Additionally, the prostate cancer may be biochemically recurrent or metastatic prostate cancer.
The expression levels of biomarker nucleic acids can be determined by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, microarray analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a Northern blot, and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE).
In another aspect, the invention includes a method of treating a subject for prostate cancer, the method comprising: a) determining whether or not the subject is likely to benefit from post-operative radiation therapy according to a PORTOS as described herein; and b) administering post-operative radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates that the subject will benefit from post-operative radiation therapy, or administering a cancer treatment other than post-operative radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates that the subject will not benefit from post-operative radiation therapy. Subjects, especially those identified as not likely to benefit from radiation therapy may be administered other cancer treatments such as, but not limited to, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, biologic therapy, or any combination thereof.
In another aspect, the invention includes a method for determining a treatment for a subject who has prostate cancer, the method comprising: a) determining whether or not the subject is likely to benefit from post-operative radiation therapy according to a PORTOS as described herein; and b) prescribing radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates that the subject will benefit from radiation therapy, or prescribing a cancer treatment other than radiation therapy to the subject if the PORTOS indicates the subject will not benefit from radiation therapy.
In another aspect, the invention includes a probe set for predicting response of a subject to post-operative radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the probe set comprising a plurality of probes for detecting a plurality of target nucleic acids, wherein the plurality of target nucleic acids comprises one or more gene sequences, or complements thereof, of genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. Probes may be detectably labeled to facilitate detection. In one embodiment, the probe set comprises a plurality of probes for detecting a plurality of target nucleic acids comprising gene sequences, or complements thereof, of the genes DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2.
In another aspect, the invention includes a system for predicting response of a subject to post-operative radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the system comprising: a) a probe set described herein; and b) an algorithm for generating a post-operative radiation therapy outcome score (PORTOS) based on an expression level of the plurality of target nucleic acids hybridized to the probes of the probe set in a biological sample from the subject.
In another aspect, the invention includes a kit for predicting response of a subject to post-operative radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the kit comprising agents for measuring levels of expression of a plurality of genes, wherein the plurality of genes comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. The kit may include one or more agents (e.g., hybridization probes, PCR primers, or microarray) for measuring levels of expression of a plurality of genes, wherein said plurality of genes comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2, a container for holding a biological sample comprising prostate cancer cells isolated from a human subject for testing, and printed instructions for reacting the agents with the biological sample or a portion of the biological sample to determine whether or not the subject is likely to benefit from radiation therapy. The agents may be packaged in separate containers. The kit may further comprise one or more control reference samples or other reagents for measuring gene expression (e.g., reagents for performing PCR, RT-PCR, microarray analysis, a Northern blot, SAGE, or an immunoassay). In one embodiment, the kit comprises agents for measuring the levels of expression of the genes DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. For example, the kit may comprise a probe set, as described herein, for detecting a plurality of target nucleic acids, wherein the plurality of target nucleic acids comprises one or more gene sequences, or complements thereof, of genes selected from DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2, or any combination thereof.
In another embodiment, the kit further comprises a system for predicting response of a subject to post-operative radiation therapy for prostate cancer, wherein the system comprises: a) a probe set comprising a plurality of probes for detecting a plurality of target nucleic acids, wherein the plurality of target nucleic acids comprises one or more gene sequences, or complements thereof, of genes selected from DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2, or any combination thereof; and b) an algorithm for generating a post-operative radiation therapy outcome score (PORTOS) based on an expression level of the plurality of target nucleic acids hybridized to the plurality of probes in a biological sample from the subject.
In another aspect, the invention includes a computer implemented method for predicting response of a patient to post-operative radiation therapy for prostate cancer, the computer performing steps comprising: a) receiving inputted patient data comprising values for levels of expression of a plurality of genes, wherein said plurality of genes comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2 in a biological sample comprising prostate cancer cells from the patient; b) calculating a post-operative radiation therapy outcome score (PORTOS) based on the levels of expression of the plurality of genes to determine whether or not the patient is likely to benefit from the radiation therapy, wherein a PORTOS greater than 0 indicates that the patient will benefit from the radiation therapy and a PORTOS less than or equal to 0 indicates that the patient will not benefit from the radiation therapy; and c) displaying information regarding whether or not the patient is likely to benefit from the post-operative radiation therapy. In one embodiment, the plurality of genes comprises at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, or 24 genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. In another embodiment, the plurality of genes comprises DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. In another embodiment, the plurality of genes is selected from DRAM1 and KRT14; DRAM1, KRT14 and PTPN22; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22 and ZMAT3; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3 and ARHGAP15; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15 and IL1B; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B and ANLN; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN and RPS27A; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A and MUM1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1 and TOP2A; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A and GNG11; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11 and CDKN3; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3 and HCLS1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1 and DTL; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL and IL7R; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R and UBA7; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7 and NEK1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1 and CDKN2AIP; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP and APEX2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2 and KIF23; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23 and SULF2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2 and PLK2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2 and EME1; and DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1 and BIN2.
The significance of the expression levels of one or more biomarker genes may be evaluated using, for example, a T-test, P-value, KS (Kolmogorov Smirnov) P-value, accuracy, accuracy P-value, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), sensitivity, specificity, AUC, AUC P-value (Auc.pvalue), Wilcoxon Test P-value, Median Fold Difference (MFD), Kaplan Meier (KM) curves, survival AUC (survAUC), Kaplan Meier P-value (KM P-value), Univariable Analysis Odds Ratio P-value (uvaORPval), multivariable analysis Odds Ratio P-value (mvaORPval), Univariable Analysis Hazard Ratio P-value (uvaHRPval) and Multivariable Analysis Hazard Ratio P-value (mvaHRPval). The significance of the expression level of the one or more targets may be based on two or more metrics selected from the group comprising AUC, AUC P-value (Auc.pvalue), Wilcoxon Test P-value, Median Fold Difference (MFD), Kaplan Meier (KM) curves, survival AUC (survAUC), Univariable Analysis Odds Ratio P-value (uvaORPval), multivariable analysis Odds Ratio P-value (mvaORPval), Kaplan Meier P-value (KM P-value), Univariable Analysis Hazard Ratio P-value (uvaHRPval) or Multivariable Analysis Hazard Ratio P-value (mvaHRPval).
These and other embodiments of the subject invention will readily occur to those of skill in the art in view of the disclosure herein.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCEAll publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
The practice of the present invention will employ, unless otherwise indicated, conventional methods of medicine, biochemistry, molecular biology and recombinant DNA techniques, within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explained fully in the literature. See, e.g., Radiotherapy in Prostate Cancer: Innovative Techniques and Current Controversies (Medical Radiology, H. Geinitz, M. Roach III, and N. van As eds., Springer, 2015); Prostate Cancer: Science and Clinical Practice (J.H. Mydlo and C.J. Godec eds., Academic Press, 2nd edition, 2015); Prostate Cancer: Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics (Protein Reviews 16, D.J. Tindall ed., Springer, 2013); A.L. Lehninger, Biochemistry (Worth Publishers, Inc., current addition); Sambrook, et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (3rd Edition, 2001); and Methods In Enzymology (S. Colowick and N. Kaplan eds., Academic Press, Inc.).
I. DefinitionsIn describing the present invention, the following terms will be employed, and are intended to be defined as indicated below.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a nucleic acid” includes a mixture of two or more such nucleic acids, and the like.
The term “survival” as used herein means the time from the start of cancer treatment (e.g., radiation therapy) to the time of death.
The terms “tumor,” “cancer” and “neoplasia” are used interchangeably and refer to a cell or population of cells whose growth, proliferation or survival is greater than growth, proliferation or survival of a normal counterpart cell, e.g. a cell proliferative, hyperproliferative or differentiative disorder. Typically, the growth is uncontrolled. The term “malignancy” refers to invasion of nearby tissue. The term “metastasis” or a secondary, recurring or recurrent tumor, cancer or neoplasia refers to spread or dissemination of a tumor, cancer or neoplasia to other sites, locations or regions within the subject, in which the sites, locations or regions are distinct from the primary tumor or cancer. Neoplasia, tumors and cancers include benign, malignant, metastatic and non-metastatic types, and include any stage (I, II, III, IV or V) or grade (G1, G2, G3, etc.) of neoplasia, tumor, or cancer, or a neoplasia, tumor, cancer or metastasis that is progressing, worsening, stabilized or in remission. In particular, the terms “tumor,” “cancer” and “neoplasia” include carcinomas, such as squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, anaplastic carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and small cell carcinoma.
The term “derived from” is used herein to identify the original source of a molecule but is not meant to limit the method by which the molecule is made which can be, for example, by chemical synthesis or recombinant means.
“Recombinant” as used herein to describe a nucleic acid molecule means a polynucleotide of genomic, cDNA, viral, semisynthetic, or synthetic origin which, by virtue of its origin or manipulation is not associated with all or a portion of the polynucleotide with which it is associated in nature. The term “recombinant” as used with respect to a protein or polypeptide means a polypeptide produced by expression of a recombinant polynucleotide. In general, the gene of interest is cloned and then expressed in transformed organisms, as described further below. The host organism expresses the foreign gene to produce the protein under expression conditions.
“Substantially purified” generally refers to isolation of a substance (compound, polynucleotide, oligonucleotide, protein, or polypeptide) such that the substance comprises the majority percent of the sample in which it resides. Typically in a sample, a substantially purified component comprises 50%, preferably 80%-85%, more preferably 90-95% of the sample. Techniques for purifying polynucleotides oligonucleotides and polypeptides of interest are well-known in the art and include, for example, ion-exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography and sedimentation according to density.
By “isolated” is meant, when referring to a polypeptide, that the indicated molecule is separate and discrete from the whole organism with which the molecule is found in nature or is present in the substantial absence of other biological macro molecules of the same type. The term “isolated” with respect to a polynucleotide or oligonucleotide is a nucleic acid molecule devoid, in whole or part, of sequences normally associated with it in nature; or a sequence, as it exists in nature, but having heterologous sequences in association therewith; or a molecule disassociated from the chromosome.
The terms “polynucleotide,” “oligonucleotide,” “nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid molecule” are used herein to include a polymeric form of nucleotides of any length, either ribonucleotides or deoxyribonucleotides. This term refers only to the primary structure of the molecule. Thus, the term includes triple-, double- and single-stranded DNA, as well as triple-, double- and single-stranded RNA. It also includes modifications, such as by methylation and/or by capping, and unmodified forms of the polynucleotide. More particularly, the terms “polynucleotide,” “oligonucleotide,” “nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid molecule” include polydeoxyribonucleotides (containing 2-deoxy-D-ribose), polyribonucleotides (containing D-ribose), any other type of polynucleotide which is an N- or C-glycoside of a purine or pyrimidine base, and other polymers containing nonnucleotidic backbones, for example, polyamide (e.g., peptide nucleic acids (PNAs)) and polymorpholino (commercially available from the Anti-Virals, Inc., Corvallis, Oregon, as Neugene) polymers, and other synthetic sequence-specific nucleic acid polymers providing that the polymers contain nucleobases in a configuration which allows for base pairing and base stacking, such as is found in DNA and RNA. There is no intended distinction in length between the terms “polynucleotide,” “oligonucleotide,” “nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid molecule,” and these terms will be used interchangeably. Thus, these terms include, for example, 3′-deoxy-2′,5′-DNA, oligodeoxyribonucleotide N3′ P5′ phosphoramidates, 2′-O-alkyl-substituted RNA, double- and single-stranded DNA, as well as double- and single-stranded RNA, DNA:RNA hybrids, and hybrids between PNAs and DNA or RNA, and also include known types of modifications, for example, labels which are known in the art, methylation, “caps,” substitution of one or more of the naturally occurring nucleotides with an analog, internucleotide modifications such as, for example, those with uncharged linkages (e.g., methyl phosphonates, phosphotriesters, phosphoramidates, carbamates, etc.), with negatively charged linkages (e.g., phosphorothioates, phosphorodithioates, etc.), and with positively charged linkages (e.g., aminoalklyphosphoramidates, aminoalkylphosphotriesters), those containing pendant moieties, such as, for example, proteins (including nucleases, toxins, antibodies, signal peptides, poly-L-lysine, etc.), those with intercalators (e.g., acridine, psoralen, etc.), those containing chelators (e.g., metals, radioactive metals, boron, oxidative metals, etc.), those containing alkylators, those with modified linkages (e.g., alpha anomeric nucleic acids, etc.), as well as unmodified forms of the polynucleotide or oligonucleotide. The term also includes locked nucleic acids (e.g., comprising a ribonucleotide that has a methylene bridge between the 2′-oxygen atom and the 4′-carbon atom). See, for example, Kurreck et al. (2002) Nucleic Acids Res. 30: 1911-1918; Elayadi et al. (2001) Curr. Opinion Invest. Drugs 2: 558-561; Orum et al. (2001) Curr. Opinion Mol. Ther. 3: 239-243; Koshkin et al. (1998) Tetrahedron 54: 3607-3630; Obika et al. (1998) Tetrahedron Lett. 39: 5401-5404.
As used herein, the term “probe” or “oligonucleotide probe” refers to a polynucleotide, as defined above, that contains a nucleic acid sequence complementary to a nucleic acid sequence present in the target nucleic acid analyte (e.g., biomarker). The polynucleotide regions of probes may be composed of DNA, and/or RNA, and/or synthetic nucleotide analogs. Probes may be labeled in order to detect the target sequence. Such a label may be present at the 5′ end, at the 3′ end, at both the 5′ and 3′ ends, and/or internally.
The term “primer” or “oligonucleotide primer” as used herein, refers to an oligonucleotide that hybridizes to the template strand of a nucleic acid and initiates synthesis of a nucleic acid strand complementary to the template strand when placed under conditions in which synthesis of a primer extension product is induced, i.e., in the presence of nucleotides and a polymerization inducing agent such as a DNA or RNA polymerase and at suitable temperature, pH, metal concentration, and salt concentration. The primer is preferably single stranded for maximum efficiency in amplification, but may alternatively be double stranded. If double stranded, the primer can first be treated to separate its strands before being used to prepare extension products. This denaturation step is typically effected by heat, but may alternatively be carried out using alkali, followed by neutralization. Thus, a “primer” is complementary to a template, and complexes by hydrogen bonding or hybridization with the template to give a primer/template complex for initiation of synthesis by a polymerase, which is extended by the addition of covalently bonded bases linked at its 3′ end complementary to the template in the process of DNA or RNA synthesis. Typically, nucleic acids are amplified using at least one set of oligonucleotide primers comprising at least one forward primer and at least one reverse primer capable of hybridizing to regions of a nucleic acid flanking the portion of the nucleic acid to be amplified.
The term “amplicon” refers to the amplified nucleic acid product of a PCR reaction or other nucleic acid amplification process (e.g., ligase chain reaction (LGR), nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA), transcription-mediated amplification (TMA), Q-beta amplification, strand displacement amplification, or target mediated amplification). Amplicons may comprise RNA or DNA depending on the technique used for amplification.
The terms “hybridize” and “hybridization” refer to the formation of complexes between nucleotide sequences which are sufficiently complementary to form complexes via Watson-Crick base pairing.
It will be appreciated that the hybridizing sequences need not have perfect complementarity to provide stable hybrids. In many situations, stable hybrids will form where fewer than about 10% of the bases are mismatches, ignoring loops of four or more nucleotides. Accordingly, as used herein the term “complementary” refers to an oligonucleotide that forms a stable duplex with its “complement” under assay conditions, generally where there is about 90% or greater homology.
The terms “selectively detects” or “selectively detecting” refer to the detection of nucleic acids using oligonucleotides, e.g., primers or probes that are capable of detecting a particular nucleic acid, for example, by amplifying and/or binding to at least a portion of the biomarker nucleic acid, but do not amplify and/or bind to sequences from other nucleic acids under appropriate hybridization conditions.
As used herein, the terms “label” and “detectable label” refer to a molecule capable of detection, including, but not limited to, radioactive isotopes, fluorescers, chemiluminescers, chromophores, enzymes, enzyme substrates, enzyme cofactors, enzyme inhibitors, semiconductor nanoparticles, dyes, metal ions, metal sols, ligands (e.g., biotin, streptavidin or haptens) and the like. The term “fluorescer” refers to a substance or a portion thereof which is capable of exhibiting fluorescence in the detectable range. Particular examples of labels which may be used in the practice of the invention include, but are not limited to, a SYBR dye such as SYBR green and SYBR gold, a CAL Fluor dye such as CAL Fluor Gold 540, CAL Fluor Orange 560, CAL Fluor Red 590, CAL Fluor Red 610, and CAL Fluor Red 635, a Quasar dye such as Quasar 570, Quasar 670, and Quasar 705, an Alexa Fluor such as Alexa Fluor 350, Alexa Fluor 488, Alexa Fluor 546, Alexa Fluor 555, Alexa Fluor 594, Alexa Fluor 647, and Alexa Fluor 784, a cyanine dye such as Cy3, Cy3.5, Cy5, Cy5.5, and Cy7, fluorescein, 2′, 4′, 5′, 7′-tetrachloro-4-7-dichlorofluorescein (TET), carboxyfluorescein (FAM), 6-carboxy-4′5′-dichloro-2′,7′-dimethoxyfluorescein (JOE), hexachlorofluorescein (HEX), rhodamine, carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX), tetramethyl rhodamine (TAMRA), FITC, dansyl, umbelliferone, dimethyl acridinium ester (DMAE), Texas red, luminol, quantum dots, NADPH, horseradish peroxidase (HRP), α-galactosidase, and β-galactosidase.
The terms “subject,” “individual,” and “patient,” are used interchangeably herein and refer to any mammalian subject, particularly humans. Other subjects may include cattle, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, mice, horses, and so on. In some cases, the methods of the invention find use in experimental animals, in veterinary application, and in the development of animal models, including, but not limited to, rodents including mice, rats, and hamsters; and primates.
II. Modes of Carrying Out the InventionBefore describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular formulations or process parameters as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only, and is not intended to be limiting.
Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.
The present invention is based on the discovery of a genomic signature that is useful for identifying individuals who will be responsive to post-operative radiation therapy for treatment of prostate cancer. In particular, the invention relates to a genomic signature based on expression levels of DNA damage repair genes that can be used to identify individuals likely to benefit from post-operative radiation therapy after a prostatectomy (see Examples).
In order to further an understanding of the invention, a more detailed discussion is provided below regarding the genomic signature and methods of screening and treating subjects for prostate cancer.
A Genomic Signature for Predicting Response to Radiation TherapyA genomic signature based on gene expression of DNA damage repair genes can be utilized to identify prostate cancer patients that may potentially benefit from radiation therapy. Exemplary DNA damage repair genes that display expression patterns that predict response to radiation therapy include DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2.
In one aspect the invention includes a method of predicting the response of a subject to post-operative radiation therapy for prostate cancer. The method generally comprises: a) providing a biological sample comprising prostate cancer cells from a subject; b) assaying a level of expression of a plurality of genes in the biological sample, wherein the plurality of genes comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2; and c) predicting whether or not the subject is likely to benefit from post-operative radiation therapy based on the level of expression of the plurality of genes.
In certain embodiments, the plurality of genes comprises at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, at least 5, at least 6, at least 7, at least 8, at least 9, or at least 10 genes or more genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. In one embodiment, the plurality of genes comprises DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2. In another embodiment, the plurality of genes is selected from DRAM1 and KRT14; DRAM1, KRT14 and PTPN22; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22 and ZMAT3; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3 and ARHGAP15; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15 and IL1B; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B and ANLN; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN and RPS27A; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A and MUM1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1 and TOP2A; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A and GNG11; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11 and CDKN3; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3 and HCLS1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1 and DTL; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL and IL7R; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R and UBA7; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7 and NEK1; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1 and CDKN2AIP; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP and APEX2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2 and KIF23; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23 and SULF2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2 and PLK2; DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2 and EME1; and DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1 and BIN2.
In another embodiment, a post-operative radiation therapy outcome score (PORTOS) is calculated based on the levels of expression of the plurality of genes in the biological sample to determine whether or not the subject is likely to benefit from post-operative radiation therapy (see Examples). A PORTOS greater than 0 (i.e., high PORTOS) indicates that a subject will benefit from post-operative radiation therapy, whereas a PORTOS of less than or equal to 0 (i.e., low PORTOS) indicates that a subject will not benefit from post-operative radiation therapy.
In a further embodiment, the method is performed after the patient undergoes a radical prostatectomy. The method is preferably performed prior to treatment of the subject with radiation therapy to determine if the subject will benefit from radiation therapy or should be administered some other anti-cancer treatment. The method may also be performed while the subject is undergoing radiation therapy to help evaluate whether continued treatment is likely to be efficacious. Subjects, especially those identified as not likely to benefit from radiation therapy may be administered anti-cancer treatments other than radiation therapy such as, but not limited to, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, biologic therapy, or any combination thereof.
TargetsIn some instances, assaying the expression level of a plurality of genes comprises detecting and/or quantifying a plurality of target analytes. In some embodiments, assaying the expression level of a plurality of genes comprises sequencing a plurality of target nucleic acids. In some embodiments, assaying the expression level of a plurality of biomarker genes comprises amplifying a plurality of target nucleic acids. In some embodiments, assaying the expression level of a plurality of biomarker genes comprises conducting a multiplexed reaction on a plurality of target analytes.
The methods disclosed herein often comprise assaying the expression level of a plurality of targets. The plurality of targets may comprise coding targets and/or non-coding targets of a protein-coding gene or a non-protein-coding gene. A protein-coding gene structure may comprise an exon and an intron. The exon may further comprise a coding sequence (CDS) and an untranslated region (UTR). The protein-coding gene may be transcribed to produce a pre-mRNA and the pre-mRNA may be processed to produce a mature mRNA. The mature mRNA may be translated to produce a protein.
A non-protein-coding gene structure may comprise an exon and intron. Usually, the exon region of a non-protein-coding gene primarily contains a UTR. The non-protein-coding gene may be transcribed to produce a pre-mRNA and the pre-mRNA may be processed to produce a non-coding RNA (ncRNA).
A coding target may comprise a coding sequence of an exon. A non-coding target may comprise a UTR sequence of an exon, intron sequence, intergenic sequence, promoter sequence, non-coding transcript, CDS antisense, intronic antisense, UTR antisense, or non-coding transcript antisense. A non-coding transcript may comprise a non-coding RNA (ncRNA).
In some instances, the plurality of targets comprises one or more targets selected from Table 1 or Table 2. In some instances, the plurality of targets comprises at least about 2, at least about 3, at least about 4, at least about 5, at least about 6, at least about 7, at least about 8, at least about 9, at least about 10, at least about 15, at least about 20, or at least about 24 targets selected from Table 2.
In some instances, the plurality of targets comprises a coding target, non-coding target, or any combination thereof. In some instances, the coding target comprises an exonic sequence. In other instances, the non-coding target comprises a non-exonic or exonic sequence. Alternatively, a non-coding target comprises a UTR sequence, an intronic sequence, antisense, or a non-coding RNA transcript. In some instances, a non-coding target comprises sequences which partially overlap with a UTR sequence or an intronic sequence. A non-coding target also includes non-exonic and/or exonic transcripts. Exonic sequences may comprise regions on a protein-coding gene, such as an exon, UTR, or a portion thereof. Non-exonic sequences may comprise regions on a protein-coding, non-protein-coding gene, or a portion thereof. For example, non-exonic sequences may comprise intronic regions, promoter regions, intergenic regions, a non-coding transcript, an exon anti-sense region, an intronic anti-sense region, UTR anti-sense region, non-coding transcript anti-sense region, or a portion thereof. In other instances, the plurality of targets comprises a non-coding RNA transcript.
The plurality of targets may comprise one or more targets selected from a classifier disclosed herein. The classifier may be generated from one or more models or algorithms. The one or more models or algorithms may be a Cox proportional hazards model, Naive Bayes (NB), recursive Partitioning (Rpart), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), high dimensional discriminate analysis (HDDA), or a combination thereof. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.60. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.61. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.62. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.63. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.64. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.65. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.66. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.67. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.68. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.69. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.70. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.75. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.77. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.78. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.79. The classifier may have an AUC of equal to or greater than 0.80. The AUC may be clinically significant based on its 95% confidence interval (CI). The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 70%. The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 73%. The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 75%. The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 77%. The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 80%. The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 83%. The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 84%. The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 86%. The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 88%. The accuracy of the classifier may be at least about 90%. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.05. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.04. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.03. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.02. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.01. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.008. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.006. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.004. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.002. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.001. The p-value of the classifier may be less than or equal to 0.0001.
The plurality of targets may comprise one or more targets selected from a Cox proportional hazards model. The plurality of targets may comprise two or more targets selected from a Cox proportional hazards model. The plurality of targets may comprise three or more targets selected from a Cox proportional hazards model. The plurality of targets may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or more targets selected from a Cox proportional hazards model. The Cox proportional hazards model may be a ridge-penalized Cox model. Predictions from a Cox model can be described in terms of a binary score (i.e., PORTOS) as discussed in the Examples.
The present invention provides for a probe set for predicting response of a subject to post-operative radiation therapy for prostate cancer comprising a plurality of probes, wherein (i) the probes in the set are capable of detecting an expression level of at least one target selected from Table 1 or Table 2; and (ii) the expression level determines whether or not the subject will benefit from post-operative radiation therapy with at least about 40% specificity.
The probe set may comprise one or more polynucleotide probes. Individual polynucleotide probes comprise a nucleotide sequence derived from the nucleotide sequence of the target sequences or complementary sequences thereof. The nucleotide sequence of the polynucleotide probe is designed such that it corresponds to, or is complementary to the target sequences. The polynucleotide probe can specifically hybridize under either stringent or lowered stringency hybridization conditions to a region of the target sequences, to the complement thereof, or to a nucleic acid sequence (such as a cDNA) derived therefrom.
The selection of the polynucleotide probe sequences and determination of their uniqueness may be carried out in silico using techniques known in the art, for example, based on a BLASTN search of the polynucleotide sequence in question against gene sequence databases, such as the Human Genome Sequence, UniGene, dbEST or the non-redundant database at NCBI. In one embodiment of the invention, the polynucleotide probe is complementary to a region of a target mRNA derived from a target sequence in the probe set. Computer programs can also be employed to select probe sequences that may not cross hybridize or may not hybridize non-specifically.
In some instances, microarray hybridization of RNA, extracted from prostate cancer tissue samples and amplified, may yield a dataset that is then summarized and normalized by the fRMA technique. After removal (or filtration) of cross-hybridizing PSRs, and PSRs containing less than , the remaining PSRs can be used in further analysis. Following fRMA and filtration, the data can be decomposed into its principal components and an analysis of variance model is used to determine the extent to which a batch effect remains present in the first 10 principal components.
These remaining PSRs can then be subjected to filtration by a T-test between CR (clinical recurrence) and non-CR samples. Using a p-value cut-off of 0.01, the remaining features (e.g., PSRs) can be further refined. Feature selection can be performed by regularized logistic regression using the elastic-net penalty. The regularized regression may be bootstrapped over 1000 times using all training data; with each iteration of bootstrapping, features that have non-zero co-efficient following 3-fold cross validation can be tabulated. In some instances, features that were selected in at least 25% of the total runs were used for model building.
The polynucleotide probes of the present invention may range in length from about 15 nucleotides to the full length of the coding target or non-coding target. In one embodiment of the invention, the polynucleotide probes are at least about 15 nucleotides in length. In another embodiment, the polynucleotide probes are at least about 20 nucleotides in length. In a further embodiment, the polynucleotide probes are at least about 25 nucleotides in length. In another embodiment, the polynucleotide probes are between about 15 nucleotides and about 500 nucleotides in length. In other embodiments, the polynucleotide probes are between about 15 nucleotides and about 450 nucleotides, about 15 nucleotides and about 400 nucleotides, about 15 nucleotides and about 350 nucleotides, about 15 nucleotides and about 300 nucleotides, about 15 nucleotides and about 250 nucleotides, about 15 nucleotides and about 200 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the probes are at least 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the probes are at least 15 nucleotides in length. In some embodiments, the probes are at least 20 nucleotides, at least 25 nucleotides, at least 50 nucleotides, at least 75 nucleotides, at least 100 nucleotides, at least 125 nucleotides, at least 150 nucleotides, at least 200 nucleotides, at least 225 nucleotides, at least 250 nucleotides, at least 275 nucleotides, at least 300 nucleotides, at least 325 nucleotides, at least 350 nucleotides, at least 375 nucleotides in length.
The polynucleotide probes of a probe set can comprise RNA, DNA, RNA or DNA mimetics, or combinations thereof, and can be single-stranded or double-stranded. Thus the polynucleotide probes can be composed of naturally-occurring nucleobases, sugars and covalent internucleoside (backbone) linkages as well as polynucleotide probes having non-naturally-occurring portions which function similarly. Such modified or substituted polynucleotide probes may provide desirable properties such as, for example, enhanced affinity for a target gene and increased stability. The probe set may comprise a coding target and/or a non-coding target. Preferably, the probe set comprises a combination of a coding target and non-coding target.
In some embodiments, the probe set comprise a plurality of target sequences that hybridize to at least about 5 coding targets and/or non-coding targets selected from Table 1 or Table 2. Alternatively, the probe set comprise a plurality of target sequences that hybridize to at least about 10 coding targets and/or non-coding targets selected from Table 1 or Table 2. In some embodiments, the probe set comprise a plurality of target sequences that hybridize to at least about 15 coding targets and/or non-coding targets selected from Table 1 or Table 2. In some embodiments, the probe set comprise a plurality of target sequences that hybridize to at least about 20 coding targets and/or non-coding targets selected from Table 1 or Table 2. In some embodiments, the probe set comprise a plurality of target sequences that hybridize to at least about 24 coding targets and/or non-coding targets selected from Table 1 or Table 2.
The system of the present invention further provides for primers and primer pairs capable of amplifying target sequences defined by the probe set, or fragments or subsequences or complements thereof. The nucleotide sequences of the probe set may be provided in computer-readable media for in silico applications and as a basis for the design of appropriate primers for amplification of one or more target sequences of the probe set.
Primers based on the nucleotide sequences of target sequences can be designed for use in amplification of the target sequences. For use in amplification reactions such as PCR, a pair of primers can be used. The exact composition of the primer sequences is not critical to the invention, but for most applications the primers may hybridize to specific sequences of the probe set under stringent conditions, particularly under conditions of high stringency, as known in the art. The pairs of primers are usually chosen so as to generate an amplification product of at least about 50 nucleotides, more usually at least about 100 nucleotides. Algorithms for the selection of primer sequences are generally known, and are available in commercial software packages. These primers may be used in standard quantitative or qualitative PCR-based assays to assess transcript expression levels of RNAs defined by the probe set. Alternatively, these primers may be used in combination with probes, such as molecular beacons in amplifications using real-time PCR.
In one embodiment, the primers or primer pairs, when used in an amplification reaction, specifically amplify at least a portion of a nucleic acid sequence of a target selected from Table 2 (or subgroups thereof as set forth herein), an RNA form thereof, or a complement to either thereof.
A label can optionally be attached to or incorporated into a probe or primer polynucleotide to allow detection and/or quantitation of a target polynucleotide representing the target sequence of interest. The target polynucleotide may be the expressed target sequence RNA itself, a cDNA copy thereof, or an amplification product derived therefrom, and may be the positive or negative strand, so long as it can be specifically detected in the assay being used. Similarly, an antibody may be labeled.
In certain multiplex formats, labels used for detecting different targets may be distinguishable. The label can be attached directly (e.g., via covalent linkage) or indirectly, e.g., via a bridging molecule or series of molecules (e.g., a molecule or complex that can bind to an assay component, or via members of a binding pair that can be incorporated into assay components, e.g. biotin-avidin or streptavidin). Many labels are commercially available in activated forms which can readily be used for such conjugation (for example through amine acylation), or labels may be attached through known or determinable conjugation schemes, many of which are known in the art.
Labels useful in the invention described herein include any substance which can be detected when bound to or incorporated into the biomolecule of interest. Any effective detection method can be used, including optical, spectroscopic, electrical, piezoelectrical, magnetic, Raman scattering, surface plasmon resonance, colorimetric, calorimetric, etc. A label is typically selected from a chromophore, a lumiphore, a fluorophore, one member of a quenching system, a chromogen, a hapten, an antigen, a magnetic particle, a material exhibiting nonlinear optics, a semiconductor nanocrystal, a metal nanoparticle, an enzyme, an antibody or binding portion or equivalent thereof, an aptamer, and one member of a binding pair, and combinations thereof. Quenching schemes may be used, wherein a quencher and a fluorophore as members of a quenching pair may be used on a probe, such that a change in optical parameters occurs upon binding to the target introduce or quench the signal from the fluorophore. One example of such a system is a molecular beacon. Suitable quencher/fluorophore systems are known in the art. The label may be bound through a variety of intermediate linkages. For example, a polynucleotide may comprise a biotin-binding species, and an optically detectable label may be conjugated to biotin and then bound to the labeled polynucleotide. Similarly, a polynucleotide sensor may comprise an immunological species such as an antibody or fragment, and a secondary antibody containing an optically detectable label may be added.
Chromophores useful in the methods described herein include any substance which can absorb energy and emit light. For multiplexed assays, a plurality of different signaling chromophores can be used with detectably different emission spectra. The chromophore can be a lumophore or a fluorophore. Typical fluorophores include fluorescent dyes, semiconductor nanocrystals, lanthanide chelates, polynucleotide-specific dyes and green fluorescent protein.
In some embodiments, polynucleotides of the invention comprise at least 20 consecutive bases of the nucleic acid sequence of a target selected from Table 1 or Table 2 or a complement thereto. The polynucleotides may comprise at least 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 30, 32, 35, 40, 45, 50, or more consecutive bases of the nucleic acids sequence of a target selected from Table 1 or Table 2, as applicable.
The polynucleotides may be provided in a variety of formats, including as solids, in solution, or in an array. The polynucleotides may optionally comprise one or more labels, which may be chemically and/or enzymatically incorporated into the polynucleotide.
In some embodiments, one or more polynucleotides provided herein can be provided on a substrate. The substrate can comprise a wide range of material, either biological, nonbiological, organic, inorganic, or a combination of any of these. For example, the substrate may be a polymerized Langmuir Blodgett film, functionalized glass, Si, Ge, GaAs, GaP, SiO2, SiN4, modified silicon, or any one of a wide variety of gels or polymers such as (poly)tetrafluoroethylene, (poly)vinylidenedifluoride, polystyrene, cross-linked polystyrene, polyacrylic, polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, poly(lactide coglycolide), polyanhydrides, poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate), polysiloxanes, polymeric silica, latexes, dextran polymers, epoxies, polycarbonates, or combinations thereof. Conducting polymers and photoconductive materials can be used.
The substrate can take the form of an array, a photodiode, an optoelectronic sensor such as an optoelectronic semiconductor chip or optoelectronic thin-film semiconductor, or a biochip. The location(s) of probe(s) on the substrate can be addressable; this can be done in highly dense formats, and the location(s) can be microaddressable or nanoaddressable.
Diagnostic SamplesA biological sample containing prostate cancer cells is collected from a subject in need of treatment for prostate cancer to evaluate whether a patient will benefit from radiation therapy. Diagnostic samples for use with the systems and in the methods of the present invention comprise nucleic acids suitable for providing RNAs expression information. In principle, the biological sample from which the expressed RNA is obtained and analyzed for target sequence expression can be any material suspected of comprising cancerous tissue or cells. The diagnostic sample can be a biological sample used directly in a method of the invention. Alternatively, the diagnostic sample can be a sample prepared from a biological sample.
In one embodiment, the sample or portion of the sample comprising or suspected of comprising cancerous tissue or cells can be any source of biological material, including cells, tissue or fluid, including bodily fluids. Non-limiting examples of the source of the sample include an aspirate, a needle biopsy, a cytology pellet, a bulk tissue preparation or a section thereof obtained for example by surgery or autopsy, lymph fluid, blood, plasma, serum, tumors, and organs. In some embodiments, the sample is from urine. Alternatively, the sample is from blood, plasma or serum. In some embodiments, the sample is from saliva.
The samples may be archival samples, having a known and documented medical outcome, or may be samples from current patients whose ultimate medical outcome is not yet known.
In some embodiments, the sample may be dissected prior to molecular analysis. The sample may be prepared via macrodissection of a bulk tumor specimen or portion thereof, or may be treated via microdissection, for example via Laser Capture Microdissection (LCM).
The sample may initially be provided in a variety of states, as fresh tissue, fresh frozen tissue, fine needle aspirates, and may be fixed or unfixed. Frequently, medical laboratories routinely prepare medical samples in a fixed state, which facilitates tissue storage. A variety of fixatives can be used to fix tissue to stabilize the morphology of cells, and may be used alone or in combination with other agents. Exemplary fixatives include crosslinking agents, alcohols, acetone, Bouin’s solution, Zenker solution, Hely solution, osmic acid solution and Carnoy solution.
Crosslinking fixatives can comprise any agent suitable for forming two or more covalent bonds, for example an aldehyde. Sources of aldehydes typically used for fixation include formaldehyde, paraformaldehyde, glutaraldehyde or formalin. Preferably, the crosslinking agent comprises formaldehyde, which may be included in its native form or in the form of paraformaldehyde or formalin. One of skill in the art would appreciate that for samples in which crosslinking fixatives have been used special preparatory steps may be necessary including for example heating steps and proteinase-k digestion; see methods.
One or more alcohols may be used to fix tissue, alone or in combination with other fixatives. Exemplary alcohols used for fixation include methanol, ethanol and isopropanol.
Formalin fixation is frequently used in medical laboratories. Formalin comprises both an alcohol, typically methanol, and formaldehyde, both of which can act to fix a biological sample.
Whether fixed or unfixed, the biological sample may optionally be embedded in an embedding medium. Exemplary embedding media used in histology including paraffin, Tissue-Tek® V.I.P.TM, Paramat, Paramat Extra, Paraplast, Paraplast X-tra, Paraplast Plus, Peel Away Paraffin Embedding Wax, Polyester Wax, Carbowax Polyethylene Glycol, PolyfinTM, Tissue Freezing Medium TFMFM, Cryo-GefTM, and OCT Compound (Electron Microscopy Sciences, Hatfield, PA). Prior to molecular analysis, the embedding material may be removed via any suitable techniques, as known in the art. For example, where the sample is embedded in wax, the embedding material may be removed by extraction with organic solvent(s), for example xylenes. Kits are commercially available for removing embedding media from tissues. Samples or sections thereof may be subjected to further processing steps as needed, for example serial hydration or dehydration steps.
In some embodiments, the sample is a fixed, wax-embedded biological sample. Frequently, samples from medical laboratories are provided as fixed, wax-embedded samples, most commonly as formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissues.
Whatever the source of the biological sample, the target polynucleotide that is ultimately assayed can be prepared synthetically (in the case of control sequences), but typically is purified from the biological source and subjected to one or more preparative steps. The RNA may be purified to remove or diminish one or more undesired components from the biological sample or to concentrate it. Conversely, where the RNA is too concentrated for the particular assay, it may be diluted.
RNA ExtractionRNA can be extracted and purified from biological samples using any suitable technique. A number of techniques are known in the art, and several are commercially available (e.g., FormaPure nucleic acid extraction kit, Agencourt Biosciences, Beverly MA, High Pure FFPE RNA Micro Kit, Roche Applied Science, Indianapolis, IN). RNA can be extracted from frozen tissue sections using TRIzol (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) and purified using RNeasy Protect kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA). RNA can be further purified using DNAse I treatment (Ambion, Austin, TX) to eliminate any contaminating DNA. RNA concentrations can be made using a Nanodrop ND-1000 spectrophotometer (Nanodrop Technologies, Rockland, DE). RNA can be further purified to eliminate contaminants that interfere with cDNA synthesis by cold sodium acetate precipitation. RNA integrity can be evaluated by running electropherograms, and RNA integrity number (RIN, a correlative measure that indicates intactness of mRNA) can be determined using the RNA 6000 PicoAssay for the Bioanalyzer 2100 (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA).
KitsKits for performing the desired method(s) are also provided, and comprise a container or housing for holding the components of the kit, one or more vessels containing one or more nucleic acid(s), and optionally one or more vessels containing one or more reagents. The reagents include those described herein, and those reagents useful for performing the methods described, including amplification reagents, and may include one or more probes, primers or primer pairs, enzymes (including polymerases and ligases), intercalating dyes, labeled probes, and labels that can be incorporated into amplification products.
In some embodiments, the kit comprises primers or primer pairs specific for those subsets and combinations of target sequences described herein. The primers or pairs of primers suitable for selectively amplifying the target sequences. The kit may comprise at least two, three, four or five primers or pairs of primers suitable for selectively amplifying one or more targets. The kit may comprise at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, or more primers or pairs of primers suitable for selectively amplifying one or more targets.
In some embodiments, the primers or primer pairs of the kit, when used in an amplification reaction, specifically amplify a non-coding target, coding target, exonic, or non-exonic target described herein, a nucleic acid sequence corresponding to a target selected from Table 1 or Table 2, an RNA form thereof, or a complement to either thereof. The kit may include a plurality of such primers or primer pairs which can specifically amplify a corresponding plurality of different amplify a non-coding target, coding target, exonic, or non-exonic transcript described herein, a nucleic acid sequence corresponding to a target selected from Table 1 or Table 2, RNA forms thereof, or complements thereto. At least two, three, four or five primers or pairs of primers suitable for selectively amplifying the one or more targets can be provided in kit form. In some embodiments, the kit comprises from five to fifty primers or pairs of primers suitable for amplifying the one or more targets.
The reagents may independently be in liquid or solid form. The reagents may be provided in mixtures. Control samples and/or nucleic acids may optionally be provided in the kit. Control samples may include tissue and/or nucleic acids obtained from or representative of tumor samples from patients showing no evidence of disease, as well as tissue and/or nucleic acids obtained from or representative of tumor samples from patients that develop systemic cancer.
The nucleic acids may be provided in an array format, and thus an array or microarray may be included in the kit. The kit optionally may be certified by a government agency for use in prognosing the disease outcome of cancer patients and/or for designating a treatment modality.
Instructions for using the kit to perform one or more methods of the invention can be provided with the container, and can be provided in any fixed medium. The instructions may be located inside or outside the container or housing, and/or may be printed on the interior or exterior of any surface thereof. A kit may be in multiplex form for concurrently detecting and/or quantitating one or more different target polynucleotides representing the expressed target sequences.
Amplification and HybridizationFollowing sample collection and nucleic acid extraction, the nucleic acid portion of the sample comprising RNA that is or can be used to prepare the target polynucleotide(s) of interest can be subjected to one or more preparative reactions. These preparative reactions can include in vitro transcription (IVT), labeling, fragmentation, amplification and other reactions. mRNA can first be treated with reverse transcriptase and a primer to create cDNA prior to detection, quantitation and/or amplification; this can be done in vitro with purified mRNA or in situ, e.g., in cells or tissues affixed to a slide.
By “amplification” is meant any process of producing at least one copy of a nucleic acid, in this case an expressed RNA, and in many cases produces multiple copies. An amplification product can be RNA or DNA, and may include a complementary strand to the expressed target sequence. DNA amplification products can be produced initially through reverse translation and then optionally from further amplification reactions. The amplification product may include all or a portion of a target sequence, and may optionally be labeled. A variety of amplification methods are suitable for use, including polymerase-based methods and ligation-based methods. Exemplary amplification techniques include the polymerase chain reaction method (PCR), the lipase chain reaction (LCR), ribozyme-based methods, self-sustained sequence replication (3SR), nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), the use of Q Beta replicase, reverse transcription, nick translation, and the like.
Asymmetric amplification reactions may be used to preferentially amplify one strand representing the target sequence that is used for detection as the target polynucleotide. In some cases, the presence and/or amount of the amplification product itself may be used to determine the expression level of a given target sequence. In other instances, the amplification product may be used to hybridize to an array or other substrate comprising sensor polynucleotides which are used to detect and/or quantitate target sequence expression.
The first cycle of amplification in polymerase-based methods typically forms a primer extension product complementary to the template strand. If the template is single-stranded RNA, a polymerase with reverse transcriptase activity is used in the first amplification to reverse transcribe the RNA to DNA, and additional amplification cycles can be performed to copy the primer extension products. The primers for a PCR must, of course, be designed to hybridize to regions in their corresponding template that can produce an amplifiable segment; thus, each primer must hybridize so that its 3′ nucleotide is paired to a nucleotide in its complementary template strand that is located 3′ from the 3′ nucleotide of the primer used to replicate that complementary template strand in the PCR.
The target polynucleotide can be amplified by contacting one or more strands of the target polynucleotide with a primer and a polymerase having suitable activity to extend the primer and copy the target polynucleotide to produce a full-length complementary polynucleotide or a smaller portion thereof. Any enzyme having a polymerase activity that can copy the target polynucleotide can be used, including DNA polymerases, RNA polymerases, reverse transcriptases, and enzymes having more than one type of polymerase or enzyme activity. The enzyme can be thermolabile or thermostable. Mixtures of enzymes can also be used. Exemplary enzymes include: DNA polymerases such as DNA Polymerase I (“Pol I”), the Klenow fragment of Pol I, T4, T7, Sequenase® T7, Sequenase® Version 2.0 T7, Tub, Taq, Tth, Pfic, Pfu, Tsp, Tfl, Tli and Pyrococcus sp GB-D DNA polymerases; RNA polymerases such as E. coil, SP6, T3 and T7 RNA polymerases; and reverse transcriptases such as AMV, M-MuLV, MMLV, RNAse H MMLV (SuperScript®), SuperScript® II, ThermoScript®, HIV-1, and RAV2 reverse transcriptases. All of these enzymes are commercially available. Exemplary polymerases with multiple specificities include RAV2 and Tli (exo-) polymerases. Exemplary thermostable polymerases include Tub, Taq, Tth, Pfic, Pfu, Tsp, Tfl, Tli and Pyrococcus sp. GB-D DNA polymerases.
Suitable reaction conditions are chosen to permit amplification of the target polynucleotide, including pH, buffer, ionic strength, presence and concentration of one or more salts, presence and concentration of reactants and cofactors such as nucleotides and magnesium and/or other metal ions (e.g., manganese), optional cosolvents, temperature, thermal cycling profile for amplification schemes comprising a polymerase chain reaction, and may depend in part on the polymerase being used as well as the nature of the sample. Cosolvents include formamide (typically at from about 2 to about 10 %), glycerol (typically at from about 5 to about 10 %), and DMSO (typically at from about 0.9 to about 10 %). Techniques may be used in the amplification scheme in order to minimize the production of false positives or artifacts produced during amplification. These include “touchdown” PCR, hot-start techniques, use of nested primers, or designing PCR primers so that they form stem-loop structures in the event of primer-dimer formation and thus are not amplified. Techniques to accelerate PCR can be used, for example centrifugal PCR, which allows for greater convection within the sample, and comprising infrared heating steps for rapid heating and cooling of the sample. One or more cycles of amplification can be performed. An excess of one primer can be used to produce an excess of one primer extension product during PCR; preferably, the primer extension product produced in excess is the amplification product to be detected. A plurality of different primers may be used to amplify different target polynucleotides or different regions of a particular target polynucleotide within the sample.
An amplification reaction can be performed under conditions which allow an optionally labeled sensor polynucleotide to hybridize to the amplification product during at least part of an amplification cycle. When the assay is performed in this manner, real-time detection of this hybridization event can take place by monitoring for light emission or fluorescence during amplification, as known in the art.
Where the amplification product is to be used for hybridization to an array or microarray, a number of suitable commercially available amplification products are available. These include amplification kits available from NuGEN, Inc. (San Carlos, CA), including the WT-OvationTm System, WT-OvationTm System v2, WT-OvationTm Pico System, WT-OvationTm FFPE Exon Module, WT-OvationTm FFPE Exon Module RiboAmp and RiboAmp Plus RNA Amplification Kits (MDS Analytical Technologies (formerly Arcturus) (Mountain View, CA), Genisphere, Inc. (Hatfield, PA), including the RampUp PlusTM and SenseAmpTM RNA Amplification kits, alone or in combination. Amplified nucleic acids may be subjected to one or more purification reactions after amplification and labeling, for example using magnetic beads (e.g., RNAClean magnetic beads, Agencourt Biosciences).
Multiple RNA biomarkers can be analyzed using real-time quantitative multiplex RT-PCR platforms and other multiplexing technologies such as GenomeLab GeXP Genetic Analysis System (Beckman Coulter, Foster City, CA), SmartCycler® 9600 or GeneXpert® Systems (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA), ABI 7900 HT Fast Real Time PCR system (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA), LightCycler® 480 System (Roche Molecular Systems, Pleasanton, CA), xMAP 100 System (Luminex, Austin, TX) Solexa Genome Analysis System (Illumina, Hayward, CA), OpenArray Real Time qPCR (BioTrove, Woburn, MA) and BeadXpress System (Illumina, Hayward, CA).
Detection and/or Quantification of Target SequencesAny method of detecting and/or quantitating the expression of the encoded target sequences can in principle be used in the invention. The expressed target sequences can be directly detected and/or quantitated, or may be copied and/or amplified to allow detection of amplified copies of the expressed target sequences or its complement.
Methods for detecting and/or quantifying a target can include Northern blotting, sequencing, array or microarray hybridization, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE), by enzymatic cleavage of specific structures (e.g., an Invader® assay, Third Wave Technologies, e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,846,717, 6,090,543; 6,001,567; 5,985,557; and 5,994,069) and amplification methods, e.g. RT-PCR, including in a TaqMan® assay (PE Biosystems, Foster City, Calif., e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,962,233 and 5,538,848), and may be quantitative or semi-quantitative, and may vary depending on the origin, amount and condition of the available biological sample. Combinations of these methods may also be used. For example, nucleic acids may be amplified, labeled and subjected to microarray analysis.
In some instances, target sequences may be detected by sequencing. Sequencing methods may comprise whole genome sequencing or exome sequencing. Sequencing methods such as Maxim-Gilbert, chain-termination, or high-throughput systems may also be used. Additional, suitable sequencing techniques include classic dideoxy sequencing reactions (Sanger method) using labeled terminators or primers and gel separation in slab or capillary, sequencing by synthesis using reversibly terminated labeled nucleotides, pyrosequencing, 454 sequencing, allele specific hybridization to a library of labeled oligonucleotide probes, sequencing by synthesis using allele specific hybridization to a library of labeled clones that is followed by ligation, real time monitoring of the incorporation of labeled nucleotides during a polymerization step, and SOLiD sequencing.
Additional methods for detecting and/or quantifying a target include single-molecule sequencing (e.g., Helicos, PacBio), sequencing by synthesis (e.g., Illumina, Ion Torrent), sequencing by ligation (e.g., ABI SOLID), sequencing by hybridization (e.g., Complete Genomics), in situ hybridization, bead-array technologies (e.g., Luminex xMAP, Illumina BeadChips), branched DNA technology (e.g., Panomics, Genisphere). Sequencing methods may use fluorescent (e.g., Illumina) or electronic (e.g., Ion Torrent, Oxford Nanopore) methods of detecting nucleotides.
Reverse Transcription for QRT-PCR AnalysisReverse transcription can be performed by any method known in the art. For example, reverse transcription may be performed using the Omniscript kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA), Superscript III kit (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA), for RT-PCR. Target-specific priming can be performed in order to increase the sensitivity of detection of target sequences and generate target-specific cDNA.
TaqMan® Gene Expression AnalysisTaqMan®RT-PCR can be performed using Applied Biosystems Prism (ABI) 7900 HT instruments in a 51.11 volume with target sequence-specific cDNA equivalent to 1 ng total RNA.
Primers and probes concentrations for TaqMan analysis are added to amplify fluorescent amplicons using PCR cycling conditions such as 95° C. for 10 minutes for one cycle, 95° C. for 20 seconds, and 60° C. for 45 seconds for 40 cycles. A reference sample can be assayed to ensure reagent and process stability. Negative controls (e.g., no template) should be assayed to monitor any exogenous nucleic acid contamination.
Classification ArraysThe present invention contemplates that a probe set or probes derived therefrom may be provided in an array format. In the context of the present invention, an “array” is a spatially or logically organized collection of polynucleotide probes. An array comprising probes specific for a coding target, non-coding target, or a combination thereof may be used. Alternatively, an array comprising probes specific for two or more of the transcripts of a target selected from Table 2, or a product derived thereof, can be used. Desirably, an array may be specific for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 or more of the transcripts of a target selected from Table 2. Probes useful for the methods of the present invention are provided in Table 1. Expression of these sequences may be detected alone or in combination with other transcripts. In some embodiments, an array is used which comprises a wide range of sensor probes for prostate-specific expression products, along with appropriate control sequences. In some instances, the array may comprise the Human Exon 1.0 ST Array (HuEx 1.0 ST, Affymetrix, Inc., Santa Clara, CA.).
Typically the polynucleotide probes are attached to a solid substrate and are ordered so that the location (on the substrate) and the identity of each are known. The polynucleotide probes can be attached to one of a variety of solid substrates capable of withstanding the reagents and conditions necessary for use of the array. Examples include, but are not limited to, polymers, such as (poly)tetrafluoroethylene, (poly)vinylidenedifluoride, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polypropylene and polystyrene; ceramic; silicon; silicon dioxide; modified silicon; (fused) silica, quartz or glass; functionalized glass; paper, such as filter paper; diazotized cellulose; nitrocellulose filter; nylon membrane; and polyacrylamide gel pad. Substrates that are transparent to light are useful for arrays that may be used in an assay that involves optical detection.
Examples of array formats include membrane or filter arrays (for example, nitrocellulose, nylon arrays), plate arrays (for example, multiwell, such as a 24-, 96-, 256-, 384-, 864- or 1536-well, microtitre plate arrays), pin arrays, and bead arrays (for example, in a liquid “slurry”). Arrays on substrates such as glass or ceramic slides are often referred to as chip arrays or “chips.” Such arrays are well known in the art. In one embodiment of the present invention, the Cancer Prognosticarray is a chip.
Data AnalysisIn some embodiments, one or more pattern recognition methods can be used in analyzing the expression level of target sequences. The pattern recognition method can comprise a linear combination of expression levels, or a nonlinear combination of expression levels. In some embodiments, expression measurements for RNA transcripts or combinations of RNA transcript levels are formulated into linear or non-linear models or algorithms (e.g., an ‘expression signature’) and converted into a likelihood score. This likelihood score may indicate the probability that a biological sample is from a patient who will benefit from radiation therapy. Additionally, a likelihood score may indicate the probability that a biological sample is from a patient who may exhibit no evidence of disease, who may exhibit systemic cancer, or who may exhibit biochemical recurrence. The likelihood score can be used to distinguish these disease states. The models and/or algorithms can be provided in machine readable format, and may be used to correlate expression levels or an expression profile with a disease state, and/or to designate a treatment modality for a patient or class of patients.
Assaying the expression level for a plurality of targets may comprise the use of an algorithm or classifier. Array data can be managed, classified, and analyzed using techniques known in the art. Assaying the expression level for a plurality of targets may comprise probe set modeling and data pre-processing. Probe set modeling and data pre-processing can be derived using the Robust Multi-Array (RMA) algorithm or variants GC-RMA, fRMA, Probe Logarithmic Intensity Error (PLIER) algorithm, or variant iterPLIER, or Single-Channel Array Normalization (SCAN) algorithm. Variance or intensity filters can be applied to pre-process data using the RMA algorithm, for example by removing target sequences with a standard deviation of < 10 or a mean intensity of < 100 intensity units of a normalized data range, respectively.
Alternatively, assaying the expression level for a plurality of targets may comprise the use of a machine learning algorithm. The machine learning algorithm may comprise a supervised learning algorithm. Examples of supervised learning algorithms may include Average One-Dependence Estimators (AODE), Artificial neural network (e.g., Backpropagation), Bayesian statistics (e.g., Naive Bayes classifier, Bayesian network, Bayesian knowledge base), Case-based reasoning, Decision trees, Inductive logic programming, Gaussian process regression, Group method of data handling (GMDH), Learning Automata, Learning Vector Quantization, Minimum message length (decision trees, decision graphs, etc.), Lazy learning, Instance-based learning Nearest Neighbor Algorithm, Analogical modeling, Probably approximately correct learning (PAC) learning, Ripple down rules, a knowledge acquisition methodology, Symbolic machine learning algorithms, Subsymbolic machine learning algorithms, Support vector machines, Random Forests, Ensembles of classifiers, Bootstrap aggregating (bagging), and Boosting. Supervised learning may comprise ordinal classification such as regression analysis and Information fuzzy networks (IFN). Alternatively, supervised learning methods may comprise statistical classification, such as AODE, Linear classifiers (e.g., Fisher’s linear discriminant, Logistic regression, Naive Bayes classifier, Perceptron, and Support vector machine), quadratic classifiers, k-nearest neighbor, Boosting, Decision trees (e.g., C4.5, Random forests), Bayesian networks, and Hidden Markov models.
The machine learning algorithms may also comprise an unsupervised learning algorithm. Examples of unsupervised learning algorithms may include artificial neural network, Data clustering, Expectation-maximization algorithm, Self-organizing map, Radial basis function network, Vector Quantization, Generative topographic map, Information bottleneck method, and IBSEAD. Unsupervised learning may also comprise association rule learning algorithms such as Apriori algorithm, Eclat algorithm and FP-growth algorithm. Hierarchical clustering, such as Single-linkage clustering and Conceptual clustering, may also be used. Alternatively, unsupervised learning may comprise partitional clustering such as K-means algorithm and Fuzzy clustering.
In some instances, the machine learning algorithms comprise a reinforcement learning algorithm. Examples of reinforcement learning algorithms include, but are not limited to, temporal difference learning, Q-learning and Learning Automata. Alternatively, the machine learning algorithm may comprise Data Pre-processing.
Preferably, the machine learning algorithms may include, but are not limited to, Average One-Dependence Estimators (AODE), Fisher’s linear discriminant, Logistic regression, Perceptron, Multilayer Perceptron, Artificial Neural Networks, Support vector machines, Quadratic classifiers, Boosting, Decision trees, C4.5, Bayesian networks, Hidden Markov models, High-Dimensional Discriminant Analysis, and Gaussian Mixture Models. The machine learning algorithm may comprise support vector machines, Naive Bayes classifier, k-nearest neighbor, high-dimensional discriminant analysis, or Gaussian mixture models. In some instances, the machine learning algorithm comprises Random Forests.
Therapeutic RegimensDiagnosing, predicting, or monitoring a status or outcome of prostate cancer may comprise treating prostate cancer or preventing cancer progression. In addition, diagnosing, predicting, or monitoring a status or outcome of prostate cancer may comprise identifying or predicting which patients will be responders or non-responders to an anti-cancer therapy (e.g., radiation therapy). In some instances, diagnosing, predicting, or monitoring may comprise determining a therapeutic regimen. Determining a therapeutic regimen may comprise administering an anti-cancer therapy. Alternatively, determining a therapeutic regimen may comprise modifying, recommending, continuing or discontinuing an anti-cancer regimen. In some instances, if the sample expression patterns are consistent with the expression pattern for a known disease or disease outcome, the expression patterns can be used to designate one or more treatment modalities (e.g., therapeutic regimens, such as radiation therapy or other anti-cancer regimen). An anti-cancer regimen may comprise one or more anti-cancer therapies. Examples of anti-cancer therapies include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy/biological therapy, and photodynamic therapy.
For example, a patient is selected for treatment with radiation therapy if the patient is identified as likely to be responsive to radiation therapy based on an expression profile or PORTOS, as described herein. The radiation used in treatment can come from a machine outside the body (external-beam radiation therapy) or from radioactive material placed in the body near cancer cells (internal radiation therapy, more commonly called brachytherapy). Systemic radiation therapy uses a radioactive substance, given by mouth or into a vein that travels in the blood to tissues throughout the body.
External-beam radiation therapy may be delivered in the form of photon beams (either x-rays or gamma rays). A photon is the basic unit of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation. An example of external-beam radiation therapy is called 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT). 3D-CRT may use computer software and advanced treatment machines to deliver radiation to very precisely shaped target areas. Many other methods of external-beam radiation therapy are currently being tested and used in cancer treatment. These methods include, but are not limited to, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), and proton therapy.
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is an example of external-beam radiation and may use hundreds of tiny radiation beam-shaping devices, called collimators, to deliver a single dose of radiation. The collimators can be stationary or can move during treatment, allowing the intensity of the radiation beams to change during treatment sessions. This kind of dose modulation allows different areas of a tumor or nearby tissues to receive different doses of radiation. IMRT is planned in reverse (called inverse treatment planning). In inverse treatment planning, the radiation doses to different areas of the tumor and surrounding tissue are planned in advance, and then a high-powered computer program calculates the required number of beams and angles of the radiation treatment. In contrast, during traditional (forward) treatment planning, the number and angles of the radiation beams are chosen in advance and computers calculate how much dose may be delivered from each of the planned beams. The goal of IMRT is to increase the radiation dose to the areas that need it and reduce radiation exposure to specific sensitive areas of surrounding normal tissue.
Another example of external-beam radiation is image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). In IGRT, repeated imaging scans (CT, MRI, or PET) may be performed during treatment. These imaging scans may be processed by computers to identify changes in a tumor’s size and location due to treatment and to allow the position of the patient or the planned radiation dose to be adjusted during treatment as needed. Repeated imaging can increase the accuracy of radiation treatment and may allow reductions in the planned volume of tissue to be treated, thereby decreasing the total radiation dose to normal tissue.
Tomotherapy is a type of image-guided IMRT. A tomotherapy machine is a hybrid between a CT imaging scanner and an external-beam radiation therapy machine. The part of the tomotherapy machine that delivers radiation for both imaging and treatment can rotate completely around the patient in the same manner as a normal CT scanner. Tomotherapy machines can capture CT images of the patient’s tumor immediately before treatment sessions, to allow for very precise tumor targeting and sparing of normal tissue.
Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) can deliver one or more high doses of radiation to a small tumor. SRS uses extremely accurate image-guided tumor targeting and patient positioning. Therefore, a high dose of radiation can be given without excess damage to normal tissue. SRS can be used to treat small tumors with well-defined edges. It is most commonly used in the treatment of brain or spinal tumors and brain metastases from other cancer types. For the treatment of some brain metastases, patients may receive radiation therapy to the entire brain (called whole-brain radiation therapy) in addition to SRS. SRS requires the use of a head frame or other device to immobilize the patient during treatment to ensure that the high dose of radiation is delivered accurately.
Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) delivers radiation therapy in fewer sessions, using smaller radiation fields and higher doses than 3D-CRT in most cases. SBRT may treat tumors that lie outside the brain and spinal cord. Because these tumors are more likely to move with the normal motion of the body, and therefore cannot be targeted as accurately as tumors within the brain or spine, SBRT is usually given in more than one dose. SBRT can be used to treat small, isolated tumors, including cancers in the lung and liver. SBRT systems may be known by their brand names, such as the CyberKnife®.
In proton therapy, external-beam radiation therapy may be delivered by proton. Protons are a type of charged particle. Proton beams differ from photon beams mainly in the way they deposit energy in living tissue. Whereas photons deposit energy in small packets all along their path through tissue, protons deposit much of their energy at the end of their path (called the Bragg peak) and deposit less energy along the way. Use of protons may reduce the exposure of normal tissue to radiation, possibly allowing the delivery of higher doses of radiation to a tumor.
Other charged particle beams such as electron beams may be used to irradiate superficial tumors, such as skin cancer or tumors near the surface of the body, but they cannot travel very far through tissue.
Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) is radiation delivered from radiation sources (radioactive materials) placed inside or on the body. Several brachytherapy techniques are used in cancer treatment. Interstitial brachytherapy may use a radiation source placed within tumor tissue, such as within a prostate tumor. Intracavitary brachytherapy may use a source placed within a surgical cavity or a body cavity, such as the chest cavity, near a tumor. Episcleral brachytherapy, which may be used to treat melanoma inside the eye, may use a source that is attached to the eye. In brachytherapy, radioactive isotopes can be sealed in tiny pellets or “seeds.” These seeds may be placed in patients using delivery devices, such as needles, catheters, or some other type of carrier. As the isotopes decay naturally, they give off radiation that may damage nearby cancer cells. Brachytherapy may be able to deliver higher doses of radiation to some cancers than external-beam radiation therapy while causing less damage to normal tissue.
Brachytherapy can be given as a low-dose-rate or a high-dose-rate treatment. In low-dose-rate treatment, cancer cells receive continuous low-dose radiation from the source over a period of several days. In high-dose-rate treatment, a robotic machine attached to delivery tubes placed inside the body may guide one or more radioactive sources into or near a tumor, and then removes the sources at the end of each treatment session. High-dose-rate treatment can be given in one or more treatment sessions. An example of a high-dose-rate treatment is the MammoSite® system. Bracytherapy may be used to treat patients with breast cancer who have undergone breast-conserving surgery.
The placement of brachytherapy sources can be temporary or permanent. For permanent brachytherapy, the sources may be surgically sealed within the body and left there, even after all of the radiation has been given off. In some instances, the remaining material (in which the radioactive isotopes were sealed) does not cause any discomfort or harm to the patient. Permanent brachytherapy is a type of low-dose-rate brachytherapy. For temporary brachytherapy, tubes (catheters) or other carriers are used to deliver the radiation sources, and both the carriers and the radiation sources are removed after treatment. Temporary brachytherapy can be either low-dose-rate or high-dose-rate treatment. Brachytherapy may be used alone or in addition to external-beam radiation therapy to provide a “boost” of radiation to a tumor while sparing surrounding normal tissue.
In systemic radiation therapy, a patient may swallow or receive an injection of a radioactive substance, such as radioactive iodine or a radioactive substance bound to a monoclonal antibody. Radioactive iodine (131I) is a type of systemic radiation therapy commonly used to help treat cancer, such as thyroid cancer. Thyroid cells naturally take up radioactive iodine. For systemic radiation therapy for some other types of cancer, a monoclonal antibody may help target the radioactive substance to the right place. The antibody joined to the radioactive substance travels through the blood, locating and killing tumor cells. For example, the drug ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®) may be used for the treatment of certain types of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). The antibody part of this drug recognizes and binds to a protein found on the surface of B lymphocytes. The combination drug regimen of tositumomab and iodine I 131 tositumomab (Bexxar®) may be used for the treatment of certain types of cancer, such as NHL. In this regimen, nonradioactive tositumomab antibodies may be given to patients first, followed by treatment with tositumomab antibodies that have 131I attached. Tositumomab may recognize and bind to the same protein on B lymphocytes as ibritumomab. The nonradioactive form of the antibody may help protect normal B lymphocytes from being damaged by radiation from 131I.
Some systemic radiation therapy drugs relieve pain from cancer that has spread to the bone (bone metastases). This is a type of palliative radiation therapy. The radioactive drugs samarium-153-lexidronam (Quadramet®) and strontium-89 chloride (Metastron®) are examples of radiopharmaceuticals may be used to treat pain from bone metastases.
In addition, patients, especially those not identified as likely to benefit from radiation therapy, may be administered other cancer treatments such as, but not limited to, surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, biologic therapy, or any combination thereof.
Surgical oncology uses surgical methods to diagnose, stage, and treat cancer, and to relieve certain cancer-related symptoms. Surgery may be used to remove the tumor (e.g., excisions, resections, debulking surgery), reconstruct a part of the body (e.g., restorative surgery), and/or to relieve symptoms such as pain (e.g., palliative surgery). Surgery may also include cryosurgery. Cryosurgery (also called cryotherapy) may use extreme cold produced by liquid nitrogen (or argon gas) to destroy abnormal tissue. Cryosurgery can be used to treat external tumors, such as those on the skin. For external tumors, liquid nitrogen can be applied directly to the cancer cells with a cotton swab or spraying device. Cryosurgery may also be used to treat tumors inside the body (internal tumors and tumors in the bone). For internal tumors, liquid nitrogen or argon gas may be circulated through a hollow instrument called a cryoprobe, which is placed in contact with the tumor. An ultrasound or MRI may be used to guide the cryoprobe and monitor the freezing of the cells, thus limiting damage to nearby healthy tissue. A ball of ice crystals may form around the probe, freezing nearby cells. Sometimes more than one probe is used to deliver the liquid nitrogen to various parts of the tumor. The probes may be put into the tumor during surgery or through the skin (percutaneously). After cryosurgery, the frozen tissue thaws and may be naturally absorbed by the body (for internal tumors), or may dissolve and form a scab (for external tumors).
Chemotherapeutic agents may also be used for the treatment of prostate cancer. Examples of chemotherapeutic agents include alkylating agents, anti-metabolites, plant alkaloids and terpenoids, vinca alkaloids, podophyllotoxin, taxanes, topoisomerase inhibitors, and cytotoxic antibiotics. Cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin are examples of alkylating agents. Other alkylating agents include mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, chlorambucil, ifosfamide. Alkylating agents may impair cell function by forming covalent bonds with the amino, carboxyl, sulfhydryl, and phosphate groups in biologically important molecules. Alternatively, alkylating agents may chemically modify a cell’s DNA.
Anti-metabolites are another example of chemotherapeutic agents. Anti-metabolites may masquerade as purines or pyrimidines and may prevent purines and pyrimidines from becoming incorporated in to DNA during the “S” phase (of the cell cycle), thereby stopping normal development and division. Antimetabolites may also affect RNA synthesis. Examples of metabolites include azathioprine and mercaptopurine.
Alkaloids may be derived from plants and block cell division may also be used for the treatment of cancer. Alkyloids may prevent microtubule function. Examples of alkaloids are vinca alkaloids and taxanes. Vinca alkaloids may bind to specific sites on tubulin and inhibit the assembly of tubulin into microtubules (M phase of the cell cycle). The vinca alkaloids may be derived from the Madagascar periwinkle, Catharanthus roseus (formerly known as Vinca rosea). Examples of vinca alkaloids include, but are not limited to, vincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine, or vindesine. Taxanes are diterpenes produced by the plants of the genus Taxus (yews). Taxanes may be derived from natural sources or synthesized artificially. Taxanes include paclitaxel (Taxol) and docetaxel (Taxotere). Taxanes may disrupt microtubule function. Microtubules are essential to cell division, and taxanes may stabilize GDP-bound tubulin in the microtubule, thereby inhibiting the process of cell division. Thus, in essence, taxanes may be mitotic inhibitors. Taxanes may also be radiosensitizing and often contain numerous chiral centers.
Alternative chemotherapeutic agents include podophyllotoxin. Podophyllotoxin is a plant-derived compound that may help with digestion and may be used to produce cytostatic drugs such as etoposide and teniposide. They may prevent the cell from entering the G1 phase (the start of DNA replication) and the replication of DNA (the S phase).
Topoisomerases are essential enzymes that maintain the topology of DNA. Inhibition of type I or type II topoisomerases may interfere with both transcription and replication of DNA by upsetting proper DNA supercoiling. Some chemotherapeutic agents may inhibit topoisomerases. For example, some type I topoisomerase inhibitors include camptothecins: irinotecan and topotecan. Examples of type II inhibitors include amsacrine, etoposide, etoposide phosphate, and teniposide.
Another example of chemotherapeutic agents is cytotoxic antibiotics. Cytotoxic antibiotics are a group of antibiotics that are used for the treatment of cancer because they may interfere with DNA replication and/or protein synthesis. Cytotoxic antiobiotics include, but are not limited to, actinomycin, anthracyclines, doxorubicin, daunorubicin, valrubicin, idarubicin, epirubicin, bleomycin, plicamycin, and mitomycin.
Alternatively or additionally, the anti-cancer treatment may comprise immunotherapy (sometimes called, biological therapy, biotherapy, biologic therapy, or biological response modifier (BRM) therapy), which uses the body’s immune system, either directly or indirectly, to fight cancer or to lessen the side effects that may be caused by some cancer treatments. Immunotherapies include interferons, interleukins, colony-stimulating factors, monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, immune cell-based therapy, gene therapy, and nonspecific immunomodulating agents.
Interferons (IFNs) are types of cytokines that occur naturally in the body. Interferon alpha, interferon beta, and interferon gamma are examples of interferons that may be used in cancer treatment.
Like interferons, interleukins (ILs) are cytokines that occur naturally in the body and can be made in the laboratory. Many interleukins have been identified for the treatment of cancer. For example, interleukin-2 (IL-2 or aldesleukin), interleukin 7, and interleukin 12 have may be used as an anti-cancer treatment. IL-2 may stimulate the growth and activity of many immune cells, such as lymphocytes, that can destroy cancer cells. Interleukins may be used to treat a number of cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and brain, colorectal, ovarian, breast, kidney and prostate cancers.
Colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) (sometimes called hematopoietic growth factors) may also be used for the treatment of cancer. Some examples of CSFs include, but are not limited to, G-CSF (filgrastim) and GM-CSF (sargramostim). CSFs may promote the division of bone marrow stem cells and their development into white blood cells, platelets, and red blood cells. Bone marrow is critical to the body’s immune system because it is the source of all blood cells. Because anticancer drugs can damage the body’s ability to make white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, stimulation of the immune system by CSFs may benefit patients undergoing other anti-cancer treatment, thus CSFs may be combined with other anti-cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy. CSFs may be used to treat a large variety of cancers, including lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, melanoma, and cancers of the brain, lung, esophagus, breast, uterus, ovary, prostate, kidney, colon, and rectum.
Another type of immunotherapy includes monoclonal antibodies (MOABs or MoABs). These antibodies may be produced by a single type of cell and may be specific for a particular antigen. To create MOABs, a human cancer cells may be injected into mice. In response, the mouse immune system can make antibodies against these cancer cells. The mouse plasma cells that produce antibodies may be isolated and fused with laboratory-grown cells to create “hybrid” cells called hybridomas. Hybridomas can indefinitely produce large quantities of these pure antibodies, or MOABs. MOABs may be used in cancer treatment in a number of ways. For instance, MOABs that react with specific types of cancer may enhance a patient’s immune response to the cancer. MOABs can be programmed to act against cell growth factors, thus interfering with the growth of cancer cells.
MOABs may be linked to other anti-cancer therapies such as chemotherapeutics, radioisotopes (radioactive substances), other biological therapies, or other toxins. When the antibodies latch onto cancer cells, they deliver these anti-cancer therapies directly to the tumor, helping to destroy it. MOABs carrying radioisotopes may also prove useful in diagnosing certain cancers, such as colorectal, ovarian, and prostate.
Rituxan® (rituximab) and Herceptin® (trastuzumab) are examples of MOABs that may be used as a biological therapy. Rituxan may be used for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Herceptin can be used to treat metastatic breast cancer in patients with tumors that produce excess amounts of a protein called HER2. Alternatively, MOABs may be used to treat lymphoma, leukemia, melanoma, and cancers of the brain, breast, lung, kidney, colon, rectum, ovary, prostate, and other areas.
Cancer vaccines are another form of immunotherapy. Cancer vaccines may be designed to encourage the patient’s immune system to recognize cancer cells. Cancer vaccines may be designed to treat existing cancers (therapeutic vaccines) or to prevent the development of cancer (prophylactic vaccines). Therapeutic vaccines may be injected in a person after cancer is diagnosed. These vaccines may stop the growth of existing tumors, prevent cancer from recurring, or eliminate cancer cells not killed by prior treatments. Cancer vaccines given when the tumor is small may be able to eradicate the cancer. On the other hand, prophylactic vaccines are given to healthy individuals before cancer develops. These vaccines are designed to stimulate the immune system to attack viruses that can cause cancer. By targeting these cancer-causing viruses, development of certain cancers may be prevented. For example, cervarix and gardasil are vaccines to treat human papilloma virus and may prevent cervical cancer. Therapeutic vaccines may be used to treat melanoma, lymphoma, leukemia, and cancers of the brain, breast, lung, kidney, ovary, prostate, pancreas, colon, and rectum. Cancer vaccines can be used in combination with other anti-cancer therapies.
Immune cell-based therapy is also another form of immunotherapy. Adoptive cell transfer may include the transfer of immune cells such as dendritic cells, T cells (e.g., cytotoxic T cells), or natural killer (NK) cells to activate a cytotoxic response or attack cancer cells in a patient. Autologous immune cell-based therapy involves the transfer of a patient’s own immune cells after expansion in vitro.
Gene therapy is another example of a biological therapy. Gene therapy may involve introducing genetic material into a person’s cells to fight disease. Gene therapy methods may improve a patient’s immune response to cancer. For example, a gene may be inserted into an immune cell to enhance its ability to recognize and attack cancer cells. In another approach, cancer cells may be injected with genes that cause the cancer cells to produce cytokines and stimulate the immune system.
In some instances, biological therapy includes nonspecific immunomodulating agents. Nonspecific immunomodulating agents are substances that stimulate or indirectly augment the immune system. Often, these agents target key immune system cells and may cause secondary responses such as increased production of cytokines and immunoglobulins. Two nonspecific immunomodulating agents used in cancer treatment are bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) and levamisole. BCG may be used in the treatment of superficial bladder cancer following surgery. BCG may work by stimulating an inflammatory, and possibly an immune, response. A solution of BCG may be instilled in the bladder. Levamisole is sometimes used along with fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy in the treatment of stage III (Dukes′ C) colon cancer following surgery. Levamisole may act to restore depressed immune function.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an anti-cancer treatment that may use a drug, called a photosensitizer or photosensitizing agent, and a particular type of light. When photosensitizers are exposed to a specific wavelength of light, they may produce a form of oxygen that kills nearby cells. A photosensitizer may be activated by light of a specific wavelength. This wavelength determines how far the light can travel into the body. Thus, photosensitizers and wavelengths of light may be used to treat different areas of the body with PDT.
In the first step of PDT for cancer treatment, a photosensitizing agent may be injected into the bloodstream. The agent may be absorbed by cells all over the body but may stay in cancer cells longer than it does in normal cells. Approximately 24 to 72 hours after injection, when most of the agent has left normal cells but remains in cancer cells, the tumor can be exposed to light. The photosensitizer in the tumor can absorb the light and produces an active form of oxygen that destroys nearby cancer cells. In addition to directly killing cancer cells, PDT may shrink or destroy tumors in two other ways. The photosensitizer can damage blood vessels in the tumor, thereby preventing the cancer from receiving necessary nutrients. PDT may also activate the immune system to attack the tumor cells.
The light used for PDT can come from a laser or other sources. Laser light can be directed through fiber optic cables (thin fibers that transmit light) to deliver light to areas inside the body. For example, a fiber optic cable can be inserted through an endoscope (a thin, lighted tube used to look at tissues inside the body) into the lungs or esophagus to treat cancer in these organs. Other light sources include light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which may be used for surface tumors, such as skin cancer. PDT is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. PDT may also be repeated and may be used with other therapies, such as surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.
Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) is a type of PDT in which a machine may be used to collect the patient’s blood cells. The patient’s blood cells may be treated outside the body with a photosensitizing agent, exposed to light, and then returned to the patient. ECP may be used to help lessen the severity of skin symptoms of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that has not responded to other therapies. ECP may be used to treat other blood cancers, and may also help reduce rejection after transplants.
Additionally, photosensitizing agent, such as porfimer sodium or Photofrin®, may be used in PDT to treat or relieve the symptoms of esophageal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Porfimer sodium may relieve symptoms of esophageal cancer when the cancer obstructs the esophagus or when the cancer cannot be satisfactorily treated with laser therapy alone. Porfimer sodium may be used to treat non-small cell lung cancer in patients for whom the usual treatments are not appropriate, and to relieve symptoms in patients with non-small cell lung cancer that obstructs the airways. Porfimer sodium may also be used for the treatment of precancerous lesions in patients with Barrett esophagus, a condition that can lead to esophageal cancer.
Laser therapy may use high-intensity light to treat cancer and other illnesses. Lasers can be used to shrink or destroy tumors or precancerous growths. Lasers are most commonly used to treat superficial cancers (cancers on the surface of the body or the lining of internal organs) such as basal cell skin cancer and the very early stages of some cancers, such as cervical, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and non-small cell lung cancer.
Lasers may also be used to relieve certain symptoms of cancer, such as bleeding or obstruction. For example, lasers can be used to shrink or destroy a tumor that is blocking a patient’s trachea (windpipe) or esophagus. Lasers also can be used to remove colon polyps or tumors that are blocking the colon or stomach.
Laser therapy is often given through a flexible endoscope (a thin, lighted tube used to look at tissues inside the body). The endoscope is fitted with optical fibers (thin fibers that transmit light). It is inserted through an opening in the body, such as the mouth, nose, anus, or vagina. Laser light is then precisely aimed to cut or destroy a tumor.
Laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LITT), or interstitial laser photocoagulation, also uses lasers to treat some cancers. LITT is similar to a cancer treatment called hyperthermia, which uses heat to shrink tumors by damaging or killing cancer cells. During LITT, an optical fiber is inserted into a tumor. Laser light at the tip of the fiber raises the temperature of the tumor cells and damages or destroys them. LITT is sometimes used to shrink tumors in the liver.
Laser therapy can be used alone, but most often it is combined with other treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. In addition, lasers can seal nerve endings to reduce pain after surgery and seal lymph vessels to reduce swelling and limit the spread of tumor cells.
Lasers used to treat cancer may include carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers, argon lasers, and neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers. Each of these can shrink or destroy tumors and can be used with endoscopes. CO2 and argon lasers can cut the skin’s surface without going into deeper layers. Thus, they can be used to remove superficial cancers, such as skin cancer. In contrast, the Nd:YAG laser is more commonly applied through an endoscope to treat internal organs, such as the uterus, esophagus, and colon. Nd:YAG laser light can also travel through optical fibers into specific areas of the body during LITT. Argon lasers are often used to activate the drugs used in PDT.
For patients with systemic disease after a prostatectomy, systemic radiation therapy (e.g., samarium or strontium) may be combined with additional treatment modalities such as adjuvant chemotherapy (e.g., docetaxel, mitoxantrone, cabazitaxel, estramustine and prednisone), and/or hormone therapy including anti-androgen therapy (e.g., surgical castration, finasteride, flutamide, bicalutamide, niltamide, enzalutamide, ketoconazole and dutasteride); lutenizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, (leuprolide, goserelin, triptorelin and histrelin) and/or LHRH antagonists, also known as gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists, (degarelix, ganirelix, cetrorelix and abarelix). Such patients would likely be treated immediately with radiation therapy either alone or in combination with one or more other treatment modalities in order to eliminate presumed micro-metastatic disease.
Such patients can also be more closely monitored for signs of disease progression. For patients with biochemical recurrence only (BCR-only or elevated PSA that does not rapidly become manifested as systemic disease), only localized adjuvant therapy (e.g., radiation therapy of the prostate bed) or a short course of anti-androgen therapy would likely be administered. For patients with no evidence of disease (NED), adjuvant therapy would not likely be recommended by their physicians in order to avoid treatment-related side effects such as metabolic syndrome (e.g., hypertension, diabetes and/or weight gain), osteoporosis, proctitis, incontinence or impotence. Patients with NED could be designated for watchful waiting, or for no treatment. Patients with systemic disease, but who have successive PSA increases, could be designated for watchful waiting, increased monitoring, or lower dose or shorter duration radiation therapy.
Target sequences can be grouped so that information obtained about the set of target sequences in the group can be used to make or assist in making a clinically relevant judgment such as a diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment choice.
A patient report is also provided comprising a representation of measured expression levels of a plurality of target sequences in a biological sample from the patient, wherein the representation comprises expression levels of target sequences corresponding to any one, two, three, four, five, six, eight, ten, twenty, or more of the target sequences corresponding to a target selected from Table 1 or Table 2, the subsets described herein, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the representation of the measured expression level(s) may take the form of a linear or nonlinear combination of expression levels of the target sequences of interest. The patient report may further include a PORTOS. The patient report may be provided in a machine (e.g., a computer) readable format and/or in a hard (paper) copy. The report can also include standard measurements of expression levels of said plurality of target sequences from one or more sets of patients with known disease status and/or outcome. The report can be used to inform the patient and/or treating physician of the expression levels of the expressed target sequences, the likely medical diagnosis and/or implications, and optionally may recommend a treatment modality (e.g., radiation therapy) for the patient.
Also provided are representations of the gene expression profiles useful for treating, diagnosing, prognosticating, and otherwise assessing disease. In some embodiments, these profile representations are reduced to a medium that can be automatically read by a machine such as computer readable media (magnetic, optical, and the like). The articles can also include instructions for assessing the gene expression profiles in such media. For example, the articles may comprise a readable storage form having computer instructions for comparing gene expression profiles of the portfolios of genes described above and/or calculating a PORTOS based on the gene expression profiles. The articles may also have gene expression profiles digitally recorded therein so that they may be compared with gene expression data from patient samples. Alternatively, the profiles can be recorded in different representational format. A graphical recordation is one such format. Clustering algorithms can assist in the visualization of such data.
Prediction of Treatment Response to Radiation TherapyA radiation response genomic signature can be utilized to predict whether or not a patient who has prostate cancer will benefit from radiation therapy. In particular, a post-operative radiation therapy outcome score (PORTOS) can be calculated based on the levels of expression of a plurality of genes selected from Table 2 to determine whether or not the subject is likely to benefit from post-operative radiation therapy (see Examples). A PORTOS greater than 0 (i.e., high PORTOS) indicates that a subject will benefit from post-operative radiation therapy, whereas a PORTOS of less than or equal to 0 (i.e., low PORTOS) indicates that a subject will not benefit from post-operative radiation therapy. Thus, patients with high PORTOS signature scores are more likely to benefit from radiation treatment after surgery and may be prescribed or administered radiation therapy.
III. ExperimentalBelow are examples of specific embodiments for carrying out the present invention. The examples are offered for illustrative purposes only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way.
Efforts have been made to ensure accuracy with respect to numbers used (e.g., amounts, temperatures, etc.), but some experimental error and deviation should, of course, be allowed for.
EXAMPLES Example 1: Development of a Genetic Signature to Predict Post-Operative Radiation Therapy Response in Prostate Cancer Patients.DNA Damage Repair (DDR) genes and pathways are significantly associated with increased metastatic progression risk (Evans et al., Patient-Level DNA Damage and Repair Pathway Profiles and Prognosis After Prostatectomy for High-Risk Prostate Cancer, JAMA Oncol. 2016 Jan 7:1-10). DDR genes were evaluated for their utility in a radiation response signature prostate cancer patients following prostatectomy. An 1800 gene compilation from Gene Ontology (GO) and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) related to response to DNA damage and radiation and in the Human Exon Array platform were collected to identify a subset of genes having the most potential to predict response to radiation therapy (RT).
To develop a post-operative radiation therapy response signature, a 1:1 matching was performed for patients treated and untreated with RT within a year in the MCI case-control prostatectomy cohort (Erho et al., Discovery and validation of a prostate cancer genomic classifier that predicts early metastasis following radical prostatectomy. PLoS One 2013; 8: e66855). Prostate cancer patients considered “treated” received adjuvant or salvage post-operative radiation after radical prostatectomy and before the primary endpoint of metastasis. Matching between treated and untreated arms was performed on Gleason score, pre-operative prostate specific antigen (PSA), positive surgical margins (SM), extracapsular extension (ECE), seminal vesicle invasion (SVI), lymph node invasion (LNI), and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Gleason score was categorized into low (<7), intermediate (7), and high (8-10). Similarly, PSA was stratified into low (<10 ng/dL), intermediate (10-20 ng/dL), and high (>20 ng/dL). SM, ECE, SVI, and LNI were treated as binary variables and defined by the respective institutions. The resulting matched training prostatectomy cohort (N=196) with whole-genome expression profiles was used to develop the radiation response signature.
Using the training cohort, each of the 1800 genes was ranked in order of its univariate interaction p-value in a Cox proportional hazards model. This ranked gene list was used to train a ridge-penalized Cox model, using metastasis as the endpoint, and with treatment and the interaction terms of treatment and each gene as the variables. Feature selection was performed by varying the number of included features from 10 to 25 (9 to 24 genes in addition to treatment) in order to range from approximately 10 to 4 events per variable in the training cohort. The final gene list was the model that minimized the interaction p-value in the training cohort. The predictions from the model are calculated by taking the difference of the predictions without RT and with RT, and converting to binary scores using a cutoff of 0. The resulting score is the Post-Operative Radiation Therapy Outcome Score (PORTOS) where patients with scores greater than 0 (high PORTOS) benefit from treatment, and patients with scores less than or equal to 0 (low PORTOS) do not benefit from treatment. As a result a 24-gene model was developed using ridge-penalized Cox regression to model the interactions of the genes and radiation therapy to generate the PORTOS [Table 2]. The model was then applied to the independent validation cohort.
In the matched training cohort, PORTOS was able to predict response to radiation therapy (RT) as evidenced by the significant interaction term (p<0.0001,
To independently validate the model, a matched cohort of treated and untreated radiation therapy (RT) patients was designed using a pooled cohort from four clinical sites (MCII, THU, TJU and DVA). These results were confirmed in an independent matched validation cohort, with a significant interaction term (p<0.05,
These results provide further evidence that patients with high scores are more likely to benefit from radiation treatment after surgery. These results showed that the PORTOS was useful for predicting benefit from post-operative RT in patients with prostate cancer. These results further indicated that methods of the present invention are useful for predicting response to post-operative radiation therapy and treating a subject for prostate cancer.
Example 4: PORTOS is an Independent Predictor of Response to Radiation Therapy After Adjusting for Clinical VariablesTo determine whether PORTOS is predictive, multivariable interaction analyses (MVA) to examine the interaction between PORTOS scores and RT treatment in a pooled set from multiple cohorts from different institutes was performed [Table 3]. Due to the differences in the baseline risks of cohorts, MVA adjusting was performed for clinical variables and institute. PORTOS was significantly interacting with RT (p <0.05).
These results provide further evidence that patients with high scores are more likely to benefit from radiation treatment after surgery. These results showed that the PORTOS was useful for predicting benefit from post-operative RT in patients with prostate cancer. These results further indicated that methods of the present invention are useful for predicting response to post-operative radiation therapy and treating a subject for prostate cancer.
The 24 targets in the genetic signature described in Example 1 were assessed for their performance across a range of different metrics and endpoints in both the training and validation cohorts.
Table 4 shows univariate (UVA) and pairwise (MVA) analysis of the interaction between RT treatment and individual genes in the genetic signature in Example 1. Table 5 shows univariate (UVA) and pairwise (MVA) analysis of the interaction between pairwise combinations of genes in the genetic signature and radiation therapy (RT) treatment adjusted for clinical variables. The associated p-value provided in Table 4 and 5 gives a measure of the statistical significance of the corresponding metric.
As shown in Tables 4 and 5, the performance of the 24 genes in the genetic signature, individually and as pairwise combinations, were statistically significant in the training and validation cohorts for predicting response to RT treatment. These results showed that the targets of the present invention are useful for predicting benefit from post-operative RT in patients with prostate cancer. These results also indicated that the methods of the present invention are useful for treating prostate cancer. These results further indicated that methods of the present invention are useful for predicting response to post-operative radiation therapy and treating a subject for prostate cancer.
While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1-30. (canceled)
31. A method for treating a subject having prostate cancer, comprising:
- a) obtaining a post-operative radiation therapy outcome score (PORTOS) that has been calculated using a level of expression of a plurality of genes in the biological sample, wherein said plurality of genes comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2;
- b) determining whether or not the subject is likely to benefit from post-operative radiation therapy based on the PORTOS score, wherein a PORTOS greater than 0 indicates that the subject will benefit from the post-operative radiation therapy and a PORTOS less than or equal to 0 indicates that the subject will not benefit from the post-operative radiation therapy; and
- c) if the PORTOS indicates that the subject will benefit from the radiation therapy, then administering the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject, and if the PORTOS does not indicate that the subject will benefit from the post-operative radiation therapy, then administering a cancer treatment other than the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the subject has previously undergone a radical prostatectomy.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the prostate cancer has not metastasized.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein the biological sample is a biopsy.
35. The method of claim 31, wherein the biological sample is a tumor sample.
36. The method of claim 31, wherein the subject is a human being.
37. The method of claim 31, wherein the level of expression has been measured by performing microarray analysis, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), a Northern blot, or serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE).
38. The method of claim 31, wherein said administering post-operative radiation therapy to the subject, or administering a cancer treatment other than the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject further comprises performing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal therapy, biologic therapy, or any combination thereof.
39. The method of claim 31, wherein the PORTOS indicates that the subject will benefit from the radiation therapy, and administering the post-operative radiation therapy to the subject.
40. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises at least 2 genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2.
41. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises at least 5 genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2.
42. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises at least 10 genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2.
43. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises at least 15 genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2.
44. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises at least 20 genes selected from the group consisting of DRAM1, KRT14, PTPN22, ZMAT3, ARHGAP15, IL1B, ANLN, RPS27A, MUM1, TOP2A, GNG11, CDKN3, HCLS1, DTL, IL7R, UBA7, NEK1, CDKN2AIP, APEX2, KIF23, SULF2, PLK2, EME1, and BIN2.
45. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of KRT14, PTPN22, ANLN, DTL, EME1, and BIN2.
46. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises KRT14, PTPN22, ANLN, DTL, EME1, and BIN2.
47. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises one or more genes selected from the group consisting of ARHGAP15, BIN2, DRAM1, HCLS1, IL7R, PTPN2, and SULF2.
48. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises ARHGAP15, BIN2, DRAM1, HCLS1, IL7R, PTPN2, and SULF2.
49. The method of claim 31, wherein the plurality of genes comprises a pair of genes selected from:
- DRAM1 and BIN2;
- SULF2 and BIN2;
- ZMAT3 and BIN2;
- HCLS1 and BIN2;
- DTL and BIN2;
- EME1 and BIN2;
- IL7R and BIN2;
- KRT14 and EME1;
- KRT14 and BIN2;
- PTPN22 and CDKN2AIP;
- PTPN22 and PLK2;
- IL7R and EME1;
- PTPN22 and ANLN;
- PTPN22 and APEX2;
- DTL and EME1;
- PTPN22 and CDKN3;
- PTPN22 and UBA7;
- DTL and IL7R;
- PTPN22 and RPS27A;
- PTPN22 and MUM1;
- RPS27A and BIN2;
- CDKN2AIP and PLK2;
- KRT14 and DTL;
- GNG11 and BIN2;
- PTPN22 and ZMAT3;
- GNG11 and EME1;
- PTPN22 and HCLS1;
- APEX2 and PLK2;
- DRAM1 and PTPN22;
- ZMAT3 and EME1;
- UBA7 and EME1;
- SULF2 and EME1;
- PTPN22 and NEK1;
- HCLS1 and EME1;
- UBA7 and BIN2;
- NEK1 and PLK2;
- DRAM1 and EME1;
- ANLN and PLK2;
- MUM1 and BIN2;
- PTPN22 and IL7R;
- KRT14 and IL7R;
- ZMAT3 and DTL;
- MUM1 and PLK2;
- KIF23 and BIN2;
- CDKN3 and PLK2;
- DTL and UBA7;
- IL7R and SULF2;
- DRAM1 and DTL;
- RPS27A and EME1;
- HCLS1 and DTL;
- PTPN22 and GNG11;
- RPS27A and PLK2;
- KIF23 and EME1;
- UBA7 and PLK2;
- DTL and SULF2;
- GNG11 and DTL;
- ZMAT3 and PLK2;
- HCLS1 and PLK2;
- KRT14 and SULF2;
- DRAM1 and PLK2;
- KRT14 and GNG11;
- PTPN22 and SULF2;
- RPS27A and DTL;
- MUM1 and EME1; and
- KRT14 and KIF23.
50. The method of claim 31, wherein the post-operative radiation therapy is selected from the group consisting of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), proton therapy, and brachytherapy.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 15, 2022
Publication Date: May 18, 2023
Inventors: Elai Davicioni (La Jolla, CA), Hussam Al-Deen Ashab (Vancouver), Nicholas Erho (Vancouver), Shuang G. Zhao (Ann Arbor, MI), Sei-Won Laura Chang (Ann Arbor, MI), Felix Y. Feng (Hillsborough, CA)
Application Number: 17/819,908
