According to Myriad Genetics, Inc., Johns Hopkins University has awarded it a world-wide, exclusive license to patents that cover PALB2 gene mutations responsible for increasing the risk of pancreatic cancer development in individuals, later in life.

Myriad, already has an extensive patent estate that covers additional pancreatic cancer pre-disposition genes, which are the basis of a novel molecular diagnostic test for assisting patients understand their risk of hereditary pancreatic cancer. Myriad is currently in the process of developing this new predictive medicine product, which could be on the market in 2010.

Difficult to diagnose at the present time, pancreatic cancer has few options for helping improve patient survival. Dr. Gregory C. Critchfield, President of Myriad Genetic Laboratories, Inc. says: ‘Knowing who is at higher risk of pancreatic cancer will allow for the development of strategies for early detection and possible prevention of this deadly disease, giving doctors and patients tools to better address this cancer.’

Scientists from the Sol Goldman Pancreatic Cancer Research Centre at the Johns Hopkins University, recently identified PALB2 gene, as a susceptibility gene for familial pancreatic cancer. Under 10 US patents, Myriad has also been given exclusive rights for BRCA2 and p16, some of the other commonly mutated genes that play a role in familial pancreatic cancer.

A mutation in one of the BRCA2, PALB2 or p16 genes means, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer by age 70 for such an individual could be 10 to 20-times greater than that of the general population. A molecular diagnostic test able to assess an individual’s risk of developing pancreatic cancer later in life, would help doctors better manage a patient’s healthcare by catching the cancer at more treatable early stage, when the prognosis is more favorable.

A tumour suppressor gene, the PALB2 gene encodes a protein which serves as BRCA2’s binding partner, and the two genes work together to repair DNA damage. The PALB2 protein stabilizes the BRCA2 protein, first localizing and then anchoring it to DNA in the cell’s nucleus. This, enables BRCA2 to repair damaged DNA and rectify naturally occurring mistakes in DNA or those that are there from environmental effects.

This DNA repair support mechanism allows PALB2 to control cell growth, including preventing them from growing uncontrollably and turning cancerous.

It is estimated 200,000-individuals worldwide will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year, nearly all dying of their disease, and 42,000-Americans will develop pancreatic cancer in 2009.

Like most other cancers, mutations in different genes that interfere with its ability to produce necessary functional proteins, is also the primary cause of pancreatic cancer. Inherited genetic predisposition occurs in approximately 10% of all pancreatic cancer patients.