Rare Diseases >> Abstract Details   Zap70 Protein Expression as a Marker for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Description of Invention: The presence or absence of somatic mutations in the expressed immunoglobulin heavy chain variable regions (IgVH) of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells provides prognostic information. Patients whose leukemic cells express unmutated IgVH regions (Ig-unmutated CLL) often have progressive disease whereas patients whose leukemic cells express mutated IgVH regions (Ig-mutated CLL) more often have an indolent disease. Given the difficulty in performing IgVH sequencing in a routine diagnostic laboratory, this prognostic distinction is currently unavailable to most patients. The present invention relates to the discovery that ZAP-70 expression also distinguishes the two CLL subtypes. Ig-unmutated CLL expressed ZAP-70 5.54-fold more highly than Ig-mutated CLL. ZAP-70 expression correctly predicted IgVH mutation status in 93% of patients, and ZAP-70 expression and IgVH mutation status were comparable in their ability to predict time to treatment requirement following diagnosis. Clinically applicable RNA and protein-based assays for ZAP-70 expression have been developed. These assays would yield important prognostic information for CLL patients. Inventors: Louis M. Staudt et al. (NCI) Patent Status: DHHS Reference No. E-091-2002/0 -- U.S. Patent No. 7,329,502 issued 12 Feb 2008 U.S. Patent Application No. 11/955,322 filed 12 Dec 2007 Licensing Status: The above-mentioned invention is available for licensing on a non-exclusive basis only. Portfolios: Cancer Cancer -Research Materials-DNA Based Cancer -Research Materials-Mab Based Cancer -Diagnostics Cancer -Therapeutics Cancer -Research Materials For Additional Information Please Contact: Surekha Vathyam Ph.D. Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325 Rockville, MD 20852-3804 Phone: 301/435-4076 Email: vathyams@mail.nih.gov Fax: 301/402-0220 Web Ref: 739 Last Updated On: 6/03