Dr. Frank Gonzalez, chief of the Laboratory of Metabolism in NCI's Center for Cancer Research (CCR), and Dr. Pedro Fernandez-Salguero, a former CCR fellow who is now a professor in Spain, received the 2011 Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer for developing and transferring a life-saving diagnostic test to the marketplace. The award recognizes those who have done an outstanding job in transferring technology developed in a federal laboratory to partners in the private sector.
Drs. Gonzalez and Fernandez-Salguero determined the molecular basis of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-linked toxicity. They discovered a splicing mutation in the gene that encodes dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), an enzyme that is normally involved in degradation of the drug. Patients' sensitivity to 5-FU is directly associated with the presence of a mutated DPD gene and low DPD enzyme activity levels, resulting in the accumulation of 5-FU in the body.
As a result of this work, patients can now be screened for the mutation before 5-FU is administered, which reduces the risk of life-threatening toxicity. The test has been nonexclusively licensed to several companies in Europe and the United States.
Mojdeh Bahar and Dr. Betty Tong of NIH's Office of Technology Transfer [NIH Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)]were recognized for their contribution to the successful transfer of this diagnostic technology to a number of licensees.
In the United States, approximately 275,000 cancer patients receive 5-FU annually. The transfer of this technology through nonexclusive licenses has allowed this diagnostic test to be widely disseminated.
"As a result of these multiple licenses," noted Dr. Gonzalez, "many patients around the world can avoid being treated with a drug that may prove to do them more harm than good."
NCI Cancer Bulletin for August 9, 2011 - National Cancer Institute
NIH Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)>>
NIH Office of Technology Transfer (OTT)
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