SURVIVAL PREDICTOR FOR DIFFUSE LARGE B CELL LYMPHOMA

Abstract
The invention provides methods and materials related to a gene expression-based survival predictor for DLBCL patients.
Description
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ELECTRONICALLY

Incorporated by reference in its entirety herein is a computer-readable nucleotide sequence listing submitted concurrently herewith and identified as follows: One 1,231,630 Byte ASCII (Text) file named “704777_ST25.TXT,” created on Jun. 5, 2009.


BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The current standard of care for the treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) includes anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimens such as CHOP in combination with the administration of the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody Rituximab. This combination regimen (R-CHOP) can cure about 60% of patients and has improved the overall survival of DLBCL patients by 10-15% (Coiffier et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 346: 235-42 (2002)). Nonetheless, the molecular basis of response or resistance to this therapy is unknown.


DLBCL is a molecularly heterogeneous disease (Staudt et al., Adv. Immunol., 87: 163-208 (2005)), and different molecular subtypes of DLBCL can have very different prognoses following treatment. For example, gene expression profiling has identified two molecular subtypes of DLBCL that are biologically and clinically distinct (Rosenwald et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 346: 1937-47 (2002); Alizadeh et al., Nature, 403: 503-11 (2000)). The germinal center B cell-like (GCB) DLBCL subtype likely arises from normal germinal center B cells, whereas the activated B cell-like (ABC) DLBCL subtype may arise from a post-germinal center B cell that is blocked during plasmacytic differentiation. Many oncogenic mechanisms distinguish these subtypes: GCB DLBCLs have recurrent t(14,18) translocations, whereas ABC DLBCLs have recurrent trisomy 3 and deletion of the INK4a/ARF locus as well as constitutive activation of the anti-apoptotic NF-kB signalling pathway (Rosenwald et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 346: 1937-47 (2002); Bea et al., Blood, 106: 3183-90 (2005); Tagawa et al., Blood, 106: 1770-77 (2005); Davis et al., J. Exp. Med., 194:1861-74 (2001); Ngo et al., Nature, 441: 106-10 (2006); Lenz et al., Science, 319: 1676-79 (2008)). When treated with CHOP-like chemotherapy, the overall survival rates of patients with GCB DLBCL and ABC DLBCL were 60% and 30%, respectively (Wright et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 100: 9991-96 (2003)). Thus, the prognosis for different DLBCL can vary widely.


A separate analytical approach identified four gene expression signatures that reflect distinct DLBCL tumor attributes and that were associated with distinct survival profiles in CHOP-treated DLBCL patients (Rosenwald et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 346: 1937-47 (2002)). A “germinal center B cell” (GCB) signature was associated with a favorable prognosis and paralleled the distinction between ABC and GCB DLBCL. The “proliferation” signature was associated with an adverse prognosis and included MYC and its target genes. The “MHC class II” signature was silenced in the malignant cells in a subset of DLBCL cases, an event that was associated with inferior survival (Rosenwald et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 346: 1937-47 (2002); Rimsza et al., Blood, 103: 4251-58 (2004)). A fourth prognostic signature, termed “lymph node” signature was associated with favorable prognosis and included components of the extracellular matrix, suggesting that it reflects the nature of the tumor-infiltrating non-malignant cells. These signatures predicted survival in a statistically independent fashion, indicating that multiple biological variables dictate the response to CHOP chemotherapy in DLBCL.


Reports have suggested that the benefit of Rituximab immunotherapy might be restricted to certain molecular subtypes of DLBCL. High expression of BCL-2 or low expression of BCL-6 was associated with inferior survival with CHOP therapy. However, this distinction disappeared with R-CHOP therapy (Mounier et al., Blood, 101: 4279-84 (2003); Winter et al., Blood, 107: 4207-13 (2006)). Immunohistochemistry has also been used to distinguish DLBCLs with a germinal center versus post-germinal center phenotype. Although such immunohistochemical phenotypes were prognostically significant in CHOP-treated cases, they were not prognostic for R-CHOP-treated cases (Nyman et al., Blood, 109: 4930-35 (2007)).


Accordingly, there is a need for new methods of distinguishing among DLBCL subtypes that is prognostically significant for R-CHOP-treated patients.


BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and arrays related to a gene expression-based survival predictor for DLBCL patients, including patients treated with the current standard of care, which includes chemotherapy and the administration of Rituximab.


The invention provides a method of predicting the survival outcome of a subject suffering from diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) that includes obtaining a gene expression profile from one or more DLBCL biopsy samples from the subject. The gene expression profile, which can be derived from gene expression product isolated from the one or more biopsy samples, includes an expression level for each gene in a germinal center B cell (GCB) gene expression signature and each gene in a stromal-1 gene expression signature. From the gene expression profile, a GCB signature value and a stromal-1 signature value are derived. From these values, a survival predictor score can be calculated using an equation that includes subtracting [(x)*(the GCB signature value)] and subtracting [(y)*(the stromal-1 signature value)]. In the equation, (x) and (y) are scale factors. A lower survival predictor score indicates a more favorable survival outcome, and a higher survival predictor score indicates a less favorable survival outcome for the subject.


The invention also provides a method of generating a survival estimate curve for subjects suffering from DLBCL. Generally the method includes obtaining a gene expression profile from one or more DLBCL biopsy samples taken from each member of a plurality of subjects. Each gene expression profile, which can be derived from gene expression product isolated from the one or more biopsy samples taken from each subject, includes an expression level for each gene in a GCB expression signature, a stromal-1 gene expression signature, and a stromal-2 gene expression signature. For each subject, the GCB signature value, the stromal-1 signature value, and the stromal-2 signature value are determined from the subject's gene expression profile, and, for each subject, a survival predictor score is generated. Each subject's survival outcome following treatment for DLBCL is tracked. A survival estimate curve is generated which correlates the probability of the tracked survival outcome with time following treatment for DLBCL and which also correlates the tracked outcome over time with the survival predictor score for the subjects.


The invention additionally provides a method of predicting the survival outcome of a subject suffering from DLBCL. Generally, the method includes obtaining a gene expression profile from one or more DLBCL biopsy samples from the subject. The gene expression profile, which can be derived from gene expression product isolated from the one or more biopsy samples, includes an expression level for each gene in a GCB gene expression signature, each gene in a stromal-1 gene expression signature, and each gene in a stromal-2 gene expression signature. The GCB signature value, the stromal-1 signature value, and the stromal-2 signature value are determined from the gene expression profile. The method then includes calculating a survival predictor score using the equation:





survival predictor score=A−[(x)*(the GCB signature value)]−[(y)*(the stromal-1 signature value)]+[(z)*(the stromal-2 signature value)].


In this equation, A is an offset term, and (x), (y), and (z) are scale factors. The method further includes calculating the probability of a survival outcome for the subject beyond an amount of time t following treatment for DLBCL, wherein the subject's probability of the survival outcome P(SO) is calculated using the equation:






P(SO)=SO0(t)(exp((s)*survival predictor score))


In this equation, SO0(t) is the probability of the survival outcome, which corresponds to the largest time value smaller than tin a survival outcome curve, and wherein (s) is a scale factor.


Furthermore, the invention provides a method of evaluating a subject for antiangiogenic therapy of DLBCL. The method includes obtaining a gene expression profile from one or more DLBCL biopsy samples from the subject. The gene expression profile, which can be derived from gene expression product isolated from the one or more biopsy samples, includes an expression level for each gene in a stromal-2 signature. The subject's stromal-2 signature value is then derived from the gene expression profile and evaluated to determine whether the subject's stromal-2 signature value is higher or lower than a standard stromal-2 value. If the subject's stromal-2 signature value is higher than the standard stromal-2 value, then antiangiogenic therapy is indicated, and the subject can be treated with antiangiogenic therapy. If the subject's stromal-2 signature value is not higher than the standard stromal-2 value, then antiangiogenic therapy is not indicated.


The invention also provides a second method of evaluating a subject for antiangiogenic therapy of DLBCL. The method includes obtaining a gene expression profile from one or more DLBCL biopsy samples from the subject. The gene expression profile, which can be derived from gene expression product isolated from the one or more biopsy samples, includes an expression level for each gene in a stromal-1 signature and in a stromal-2 signature. The subject's stromal-1 signature value and stromal-2 signature value are then derived from the gene expression profile. The stromal-1 signature value is subtracted from the stomal-2 signature value to thereby obtain the subject's stromal score. The subject's stromal score is evaluated to determine whether it is higher or lower than a standard stromal score. If the subject's stromal score is higher than the standard stromal score, then antiangiogenic therapy is indicated, and the subject can be treated with antiangiogenic therapy. If the subject's stromal score is not higher than the standard stromal-score, then antiangiogenic therapy is not indicated.


Additionally, the invention provides a machine-readable medium containing a digitally encoded GCB signature value, a digitally encoded stromal-1 signature value, a digitally encoded stromal-2 signature, or any combination of the foregoing signature values obtained from a subject suffering from DLBCL.


In another embodiment the invention provides a machine-readable medium containing the digitally encoded survival predictor score obtained using a method disclosed herein for predicting the survival outcome of a subject suffering from diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a machine-readable medium containing the survival estimate curve obtained using a method disclosed herein for generating a survival estimate curve for subjects suffering from DLBCL. In still another embodiment, the invention provides a machine-readable medium containing the digitally encoded probability of survival calculated according to a method disclosed herein for predicting the survival outcome (e.g., progression-free survival or overall survival) of a subject suffering from DLBCL. Furthermore, the invention provides a machine-readable medium containing the digitally encoded stromal score generated by a method disclosed herein for evaluating a subject for antiangiogenic therapy of DLBCL.


The invention also provides a targeted array comprising at least one probe or at least one set of probes for each gene in a germinal center B cell gene (GCB) expression signature, a stromal-1 gene expression signature, and a stromal-2 gene expression signature. The array can include probes for fewer than 20,000 genes or fewer than 10,000 genes.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS


FIG. 1A is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the probability of progression-free-survival versus time (in years) of patients with GCB DLBCL and ABC DLBCL. The plot indicates that GCB patients have a more favorable, i.e., higher probability of progression-free survival rate than ABC patients for at least five years following R-CHOP therapy.



FIG. 1B a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the probability of overall survival versus time (in years) of patients with GCB DLBCL and ABC DLBCL. The plot indicates that GCB patients have a more favorable, i.e., higher probability, of overall survival than ABC patients for at least five years following R-CHOP therapy.



FIG. 1C is a series of four Kaplan-Meier estimates plots depicting the probabilities of overall survival versus time (in years) in DLBCL patients. Each of the four plots correlates the probability of overall survival with the lymph node/stromal-1, germinal center B cell, proliferation, or MHC class II gene expression signature, respectively. Moreover, in each plot, the average expression of the signature genes in each biopsy sample was used to rank cases and divide the cohort into quartile groups as indicated.



FIG. 2A is a pair of Kaplan-Meier estimates plots depicting the probability of progression-free-survival and the probability of overall survival, as indicated, versus time (in years) among DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP. Patient samples were ranked according to a bivariate model created using the germinal center B cell (GCB) and stromal-1 signatures and divided into quartile groups.



FIG. 2B is a pair of Kaplan-Meier plots depicting the probability of progression-free-survival and the probability of overall survival, as indicated, versus time (in years) among DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP. Patient samples were ranked according to a survival predictor score derived from a model incorporating the germinal center B cell, stromal-1, and stromal-2 signatures and divided into quartile groups.



FIG. 2C is a series of three Kaplan-Meier estimates plots depicting the probability of overall survival versus time (in years) among R-CHOP treated DLBCL patients in the indicated low, intermediate, or high IPI risk groups. Patient samples were stratified according to the same survival predictor score used in FIG. 2B, except that the first and second quartiles were merged, and the third and fourth quartiles were merged.



FIG. 3 depicts the expression levels of the indicated GCB cell, stromal-1, and stromal-2 signature genes in ABC, GCB, and unclassified DLBCL biopsy samples. Relative levels of gene expression are depicted according to the scale shown. Shown at the bottom are the signature averages for each patient. Also shown is the stromal score, which is the component of the survival model contributed by the difference between the stromal-2 and stromal-1 signature averages. The survival predictor score is shown for each patient and was used to order the cases, after grouping into ABC DLBCL, GCB DLBCL, and unclassified categories.



FIG. 4A depicts the relative gene expression of stromal-1, stromal-2, and germinal center B cell signatures in CD19+ malignant and CD19− non-malignant subpopulations of cells isolated from three biopsy specimens from patients with DLBCL. Stromal-1 and stromal-2 signature genes were more highly expressed in the non-malignant cells, whereas the germinal center B cell signature genes were more highly expressed in the malignant cells. The log 2 ratios of gene expression levels in the CD19− subpopulation to those in the CD19+ subpopulations are depicted according to the scale shown.



FIG. 4B depicts the results of gene enrichment analysis comparing the stromal-1 gene signature with mesenchyme-1 and mesenchyme-2 signatures (from normal mesenchymal origin cells), with a monocyte signature expressed more highly in normal blood monocytes than in blood B, T, and NK cells, and in a pan-T cell signature expressed more highly in blood T cells than in blood B cells, NK cells, and monocytes. While a relationship was seen between stromal-1 signature and mesenchyme-1, mesenchyme-2, and monocyte signatures, no relationship was observed between the stromal-1 signature and a pan-T cell signature expressed more highly in blood T cells than in blood B cells, NK cells, and monocytes. The relative levels of gene expression are depicted according to the scale shown.



FIG. 5A is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the probability of overall survival versus time (in years) in DLBCL cases segregated according to SPARC protein expression levels, as indicated.



FIG. 5B is a pair of images showing the identification of tumor blood vessels by immunohistochemical analysis of CD34+ endothelial cells in representative DLBCL biopsies having low or high blood vessel density (CD34+ objects/μM2), as indicated.



FIG. 5C is a plot depicting the correlation between the tumor blood vessel density and the stromal score in analyzed DLBCL biopsies.



FIG. 6A is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the probability of overall survival versus time (in years) for “LLMPP CHOP” patients with DLBCL following therapy. The plot indicates that in this cohort, patients with GCB DLBCL show significantly superior overall survival compared to patients with ABC DLBCL following CHOP therapy.



FIG. 6B is a is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the probability of overall survival versus time (in years) for “MMMLNP CHOP” patients with DLBCL following therapy. In this cohort, patients with GCB DLBCL show significantly superior overall survival compared to patients with ABC DLBCL following CHOP therapy.



FIG. 7 is a set of four Kaplan-Meier estimates plots depicting the probability of overall survival versus time (in years) in a “MMMLNP CHOP” cohort. Each of the four plots correlates the probability of overall survival with the lymph node/stromal-1, germinal center B cell, proliferation, or MHC class II gene expression signature, respectively. Moreover, in each plot, the average expression of the signature genes in each biopsy sample was used to rank cases and divide the cohort into quartile groups as indicated.



FIG. 8A is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the probability of overall survival versus time (in years) in a “LLMPP CHOP” cohort, which was divided according to MHC class II signature expression levels. Patients with low MHC class II signature expression have significantly inferior overall survival compared to patients with normal MHC class II expression.



FIG. 8B is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the probability of overall survival versus time (in years) in a “MMMLNP CHOP” cohort, which was divided according to MHC class II signature expression levels. Patients with low MHC class II signature expression have significantly inferior overall survival compared to patients with normal MHC class II expression.



FIG. 8C is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the probability of overall survival versus time (in years) in a “LLMPP R-CHOP” cohort, which was divided according to MHC class II signature expression levels. There was no significant difference in the overall survival of patients with low MHC class II signature expression as compared to patients with normal MHC class II expression.



FIG. 9A is a pair of Kaplan-Meier estimates plots depicting the probabilities of progression-free survival or overall survival, as indicated, versus time (in years) among patients grouped into quartiles according to a gene expression model consisting of stromal-1 signature, GCB signature, and signature 122 following R-CHOP therapy.



FIG. 9B is a pair Kaplan-Meier estimates plots depicting the probabilities of overall survival versus time (in years) among “MMMLNP CHOP” cohort patients grouped into quartiles according to a gene expression model consisting of either stromal-1 signature and GCB signature or stromal-1, GCB signature, and signature 122, as indicated, following CHOP therapy.



FIG. 9C is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the probabilities of overall survival versus time (in years) among “MMMLNP CHOP” cohort patients grouped into quartiles according to a gene expression model consisting of stromal-1 signature, GCB signature, and stromal-2 signature following CHOP therapy.



FIG. 10A is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the overall survival among low revised International Prognostic Index (IPI) risk group patients stratified according to the gene expression-based outcome predictor score. After grouping patients into quartiles according to gene expression-based outcome predictor score, quartiles 1 and 2 were merged (Low Model Score), and quartiles 3 and 4 were merged (High Model Score).



FIG. 10B is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the overall survival among intermediate revised International Prognostic Index (IPI) risk group patients stratified according to the gene expression-based outcome predictor. After grouping patients into quartiles according to gene expression-based outcome predictor score, quartiles 1 and 2 were merged (Low Model Score), and quartiles 3 and 4 were merged (High Model Score).



FIG. 10C is a Kaplan-Meier estimates plot depicting the overall survival among high revised International Prognostic Index (IPI) risk group patients stratified according to the gene expression-based outcome predictor. After grouping patients into quartiles according to gene expression-based outcome predictor score, quartiles 1 and 2 were merged (Low Model Score), and quartiles 3 and 4 were merged (High Model Score).



FIG. 11 depicts normal mesenchymal-1 and normal mesenchymal-2 signature gene expression in various normal tissues.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a gene expression-based survival predictor for DLBCL patients, including those patients receiving the current standard of care, R-CHOP. The survival predictor can be used to determine the relative probability of a survival outcome in a specific subject. The survival predictor can also be used to predict; i.e., determine the expected probability that a survival outcome will occur by a defined period following treatment for DLBCL. Such prognostic information can be very useful to both the patient and the physician. Patients with survival predictor scores that indicate inferior outcome with R-CHOP therapy could be candidates for a different therapeutic regimen, if, for example, they relapse from R-CHOP treatment. The survival predictor can also be used in the design of clinical studies and analysis of clinical data to provide a quantitative survey of the types of DLBCL patients from which clinical data was gathered. The predictor can be used to improve one or more comparisons between data from different sources (e.g., from different clinical trials), by enabling comparisons with respect to patient characteristics, which are manifested in the gene expression levels that determine and, thus, are embodied in the predictor. Furthermore, the invention provides information that can be very valuable to a DLBCL patient, since the patient may be inclined to order his or her life quite differently, depending on whether the patient has a high or low probability of surviving and/or remaining progression-free for a period of time following treatment.


The following abbreviations are used herein: ABC, activated B cell-like diffuse large B cell lymphoma; CHOP, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicine, vincristine, and prednisone; CI, confidence interval; COP, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, and prednisone; DLBCL, diffuse large B cell lymphoma; DOD, dead of disease; ECOG, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group; FACS, fluorescence-activated cell sorting; FH, follicular hyperplasia; FISH, fluorescence in situ hybridization; FL, follicular lymphoma; GC, geiminal center; GCB, germinal center B cell-like diffuse large B cell lymphoma; IPI, International Prognostic Index; LPC, lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma; MHC, major histocompatibility complex; NA, not available or not applicable; NK, natural killer; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RQ-PCR, real-time quantitative PCR; RT-PCR, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction; SAGE, serial analysis of gene expression; WHO, World Health Organization.


The term “R-CHOP” as used herein refers generally to any therapeutic regimen that includes chemotherapy and the administration of Rituximab. Accordingly, while the term can refer to a Rituximab combination therapy that includes a CHOP regimen of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicine, vincristine, and prednisone, the term R-CHOP can also refer to therapy that includes Rituximab in combination with a chemotherapeutic regimen other than CHOP.


The phrase “gene expression data” as well as “gene expression level” as used herein refers to information regarding the relative or absolute level of expression of a gene or set of genes in a cell or group of cells. The level of expression of a gene may be determined based on the level of RNA, such as mRNA, encoded by the gene. Alternatively, the level of expression may be determined based on the level of a polypeptide or fragment thereof encoded by the gene. Gene expression data may be acquired for an individual cell, or for a group of cells such as a tumor or biopsy sample. Gene expression data and gene expression levels can be stored on computer readable media, e.g., the computer readable medium used in conjunction with a microarray or chip reading device. Such gene expression data can be manipulated to generate gene expression signatures.


The term “microarray,” “array,” or “chip” refers to a plurality of nucleic acid probes coupled to the surface of a substrate in different known locations. The substrate is preferably solid. Microarrays have been generally described in the art in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,854 (Pirrung), U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,186 (Fodor), U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,934 (Fodor), U.S. Pat. No. 5,677,195 (Winkler), U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,305 (Fodor), U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,992 (Fodor), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,193 (Winkler), and Fodor et al., Science, 251: 767-777 (1991).


The term “gene expression signature” or “signature” as used herein refers to a group of coordinately expressed genes. The genes making up this signature may be expressed in a specific cell lineage, stage of differentiation, or during a particular biological response. The genes can reflect biological aspects of the tumors in which they are expressed, such as the cell of origin of the cancer, the nature of the non-malignant cells in the biopsy, and the oncogenic mechanisms responsible for the cancer (Shaffer et al., Immunity, 15: 375-385 (2001)). Examples of gene expression signatures include lymph node, proliferation (Rosenwald et al., New Engl. J. Med., 346: 1937-1947 (2002)), MHC class II, ABC DLBCL high, B cell differentiation, T-cell, macrophage, immune response-1, and immune response-2 signatures (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0105136 (Staudt)).


The term “signature value” as used herein corresponds to a mathematical combination of measurements from expression levels of the genes in a gene expression signature. An exemplary signature value is a signature average which corresponds to the average or mean of the individual expression levels in a gene expression signature.


The phrase “survival predictor score” as used herein refers to a score generated by a multivariate model used to predict survival based on gene expression. A subject with a higher survival predictor score is predicted to have poorer survival than a subject with a lower survival predictor score.


The term “survival” or “overall survival” as used herein may refer to the probability or likelihood of a subject surviving for a particular period of time. Alternatively, it may refer to the likely term of survival for a subject, such as expected mean or median survival time for a subject with a particular gene expression pattern.


The term “progression free survival” as used herein can refer to the probability or likelihood of a subject surviving without significant progression or worsening of disease for a particular period of time. Alternatively, it may refer to the likely term for a subject of survival without significant progression or worsening of disease, such as expected mean or median survival time for a subject with a particular gene expression pattern without significant progression or worsening of disease.


The term “survival outcome” as used herein may refer to survival, overall survival, or progression free survival.


The phrase “scale factor” as used herein refers to a factor that relates change in gene expression to prognosis. An example of a scale factor is a factor obtained by maximizing the partial likelihoods of the Cox proportional hazards model.


The gene expression signatures, signature values, survival predictor scores, stromal scores, survival estimate curves, and probabilities of survival disclosed herein may be stored in digitally encoded format on computer readable media, e.g., computer readable media used in conjunction with microarray or chip reading devices or computer readable media used to store patient data during treatment for DLBCL. Such media and the specialized devices that use them, e.g., for diagnostic and clinical applications, are known in the art.


The invention provides a method for predicting a survival outcome in a subject diagnosed with DLBCL using gene expression data. Such data may be gathered using any effective method of quantifying gene expression. For example, gene expression data may be measured or estimated using one or more microarrays. The microarrays may be of any effective type, including, but not limited to, nucleic acid based or antibody based. Gene expression may also be measured by a variety of other techniques, including, but not limited to, PCR, quantitative RT-PCR, real-time PCR, RNA amplification, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, immunocytochemistry, FACS, serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) (Velculescu et al., Science, 270: 484-87 (1995)), Northern blot hybridization, or western blot hybridization.


Nucleic acid microarrays generally comprise nucleic acid probes derived from individual genes and placed in an ordered array on a support. This support may be, for example, a glass slide, a nylon membrane, or a silicon wafer. Gene expression patterns in a sample are obtained by hybridizing the microarray with the gene expression product from the sample. This gene expression product may be, for example, total cellular mRNA, rRNA, or cDNA obtained by reverse transcription of total cellular mRNA. The gene expression product from a sample is labeled with a radioactive, fluorescent, or other label to allow for detection. Following hybridization, the microarray is washed, and hybridization of the gene expression product to each nucleic acid probe on the microarray is detected and quantified using a detection device such as a phosphorimager or scanning confocal microscope.


There are two broad classes of microarrays: cDNA and oligonucleotide arrays. cDNA arrays consist of hundreds or thousands of cDNA probes immobilized on a solid support. These cDNA probes are usually 100 nucleotides or greater in size. There are two commonly used designs for cDNA arrays. The first is the nitrocellulose filter array, which is generally prepared by robotic spotting of purified DNA fragments or lysates of bacteria containing cDNA clones onto a nitrocellulose filter (Southern et al., Genomics, 13: 1008-17 (1992); Southern et al., Nucl Acids Res 22: 1368-73 (1994); Gress et al., Oncogene, 13: 1819-30 (1996); Pietu et al., Genome Res., 6: 492-503 (1996)). The other commonly used cDNA arrays is fabricated by robotic spotting of PCR fragments from cDNA clones onto glass microscope slides (Schena et al., Science, 270: 467-70 (1995); DeRisi et al., Nature Genet., 14: 457-60 (1996); Schena et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 93: 10614-19 (1996); Shalon et al., Genome Res., 6: 639-45 (1996); DeRisi et al., Science, 278: 680-86 (1997); Heller et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 94: 2150-55 (1997); Lashkari et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 94: 13057-62 (1997)). These cDNA microarrays are simultaneously hybridized with two fluorescent cDNA probes, each labeled with a different fluorescent dye (typically Cy3 or Cy5). In this format, the relative mRNA expression in two samples is directly compared for each gene on the microarray. Oligonucleotide arrays differ from cDNA arrays in that the probes are 20- to 25-mer oligonucleotides. Oligonucleotide arrays are generally produced by in situ oligonucleotide synthesis in conjunction with photolithographic masking techniques (Pease et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 91: 5022-26 (1994); Lipshutz et al., Biotechniques 19: 442-47 (1995); Chee et al., Science, 274: 610-14 (1996); Lockhart et al., Nature Biotechnol., 14: 1675-80 (1996); Wodicka et al., Nature Biotechnol., 15: 1359-6714 (1997)). The solid support for oligonucleotide arrays is typically a glass or silicon surface.


Methods and techniques applicable to array synthesis and use have been described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,143,854 (Pirrung), U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,974 (Holmes), U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,743 (Barrett), U.S. Pat. No. 5,324,633 (Fodor), U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,261 (Winkler), U.S. Pat. No. 5,424,186 (Fodor), U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,934 (Fodor), U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,683 (Barrett), U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,867 (Barrett), U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,074 (Aldwin), U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,681 (Holmes), U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,215 (Holmes), U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,639 (Hubbell), U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,832 (Trulson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,839 (Hubbell), U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,695 (Pease), U.S. Pat. No. 5,624,711 (Sundberg), U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,734 (Stem), U.S. Pat. No. 5,795,716 (Chee), U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,070 (Pease), U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,832 (Chee), U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,101 (Hubbell), U.S. Pat. No. 5,858,659 (Sapolsky), U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,324 (Montagu), U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,740 (Fodor), U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,164 (Chee), U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,185 (Matson), U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,956 (Stem), U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,601 (Trulson), U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,860 (Lockhart), U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,193 (Winkler), U.S. Pat. No. 6,090,555 (Fiekowsky), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,229 (Lockhart), and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0104411 (Fodor).


Microarrays may generally be produced using a variety of techniques, such as mechanical or light directed synthesis methods that incorporate a combination of photolithographic methods and solid phase synthesis methods. Techniques for the synthesis of microarrays using mechanical synthesis methods are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,261 (Winkler) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,193 (Winkler). Although a planar array surface is preferred, the microarray may be fabricated on a surface of virtually any shape, or even on a multiplicity of surfaces. Microarrays may be nucleic acids on beads, gels, polymeric surfaces, fibers such as fiber optics, glass, or any other appropriate substrate. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,708,153 (Dower), U.S. Pat. No. 5,770,358 (Dower), U.S. Pat. No. 5,789,162 (Dower), U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,992 (Fodor), and U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,193 (Winkler).


Microarrays can be packaged in such a manner as to allow for diagnostic use, or they can be all-inclusive devices. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,174 (Lipshutz) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,591 (Anderson).


Microarrays directed to a variety of purposes are commercially available from Affymetrix (Santa Clara, Calif.). For instance, these microarrays may be used for genotyping and gene expression monitoring.


Gene expression data can be used to identify genes that are coordinately regulated. Genes that encode components of the same multi-subunit protein complex are often coordinately regulated. Coordinate regulation is also observed among genes whose products function in a common differentiation program or in the same physiological response pathway. Recent application of gene expression profiling to the immune system has shown that lymphocyte differentiation and activation are accompanied by parallel changes in expression among hundreds of genes. Gene expression databases may be used to interpret the pathological changes in gene expression that accompany autoimmunity, immune deficiencies, cancers of immune cells and of normal immune responses.


Scanning and interpreting large bodies of relative gene expression data is a formidable task. This task is greatly facilitated by algorithms designed to organize the data in a way that highlights systematic features, and by visualization tools that represent the differential expression of each gene as varying intensities and hues of color (Eisen et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 95: 14863-68 (1998)). The development of microarrays, which are capable of generating massive amounts of expression data in a single experiment, has greatly increased the need for faster and more efficient methods of analyzing large-scale expression data sets. In order to effectively utilize microarray gene expression data for the prediction of survival in DLBCL patients, there is a need for new algorithms to be developed, which can identify important information and convert it to a more manageable format. In addition, the microarrays used to generate this data can be streamlined to incorporate probe sets that are useful for survival outcome prediction.


Mathematical analysis of gene expression data is a rapidly evolving science based on a rich mathematics of pattern recognition developed in other contexts (Kohonen, Self-Organizing Maps, Springer Press (Berlin 1997)). Mathematical analysis of gene expression data can be used, for example, to identify groups of genes that are coordinately regulated within a biological system, to recognize and interpret similarities between biological samples on the basis of similarities in gene expression patterns, and/or to recognize and identify those features of a gene expression pattern that are related to distinct biological processes or phenotypes.


Mathematical analysis of gene expression data often begins by establishing the expression pattern for each gene on an array across a number (n) of experimental samples. The expression pattern of each gene can be represented by a point in n-dimensional space, with each coordinate specified by an expression measurement in one of the n samples (Eisen et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 95: 14863-68 (1998)). A clustering algorithm that uses distance metrics can then be applied to locate clusters of genes in this n-dimensional space. These clusters indicate genes with similar patterns of variation in expression over a series of experiments. Clustering methods that have been applied to microarray data in the past include hierarchical clustering (Eisen et al., supra), self-organizing maps (SOMs) (Tamayo et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 96: 2907-12 (1999)), k-means (Tavazoie et al., Nature Genet., 22: 281-85 (1999)), and deterministic annealing (Alon et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 96: 6745-50 (1999)).


A variety of different algorithms, each emphasizing distinct orderly features of the data, may be required to glean the maximal biological insight from a set of samples (Alizadeh et al., J. Clin. Immunol., 18: 373-79 (1998)). One such algorithm, hierarchical clustering, begins by determining the gene expression correlation coefficients for each pair of the n genes studied. Genes with similar gene expression correlation coefficients are grouped next to one another in a hierarchical fashion. Generally, genes with similar expression patterns under a particular set of conditions can encode protein products with related roles in the physiological adaptation to those conditions. Novel genes of unknown function that are clustered with a large group of functionally related genes likely participate in similar or related biological process. Likewise, other clustering methods mentioned herein can also group genes together that encode proteins with related biological function.


In such clustering methods, genes that are clustered together reflect a particular biological function, and are termed gene expression signatures (Shaffer et al., Immunity 15: 375-85 (2001)). One general type of gene expression signature includes genes that are characteristically expressed in a particular cell type or at a particular stage of cellular differentiation or activation. Another general type of gene expression signature includes genes that are regulated in their expression by a particular biological process such as proliferation, or by the activity of a particular transcription factor or signaling pathway.


The pattern of gene expression in a biological sample can provide a distinctive and accessible molecular picture of its functional state and identity (DeRisi et al., Science, 278: 680-86 (1997); Cho et al., Mol. Cell., 2: 65-73 (1998); Chu et al., Science, 282: 699-705 (1998); Holstege et al., Cell., 95: 717-728 (1998); Spellman et al., Mol. Biol. Cell, 9: 3273-97 (1998)). Each cell transduces variations in its environment, internal state, and developmental state into readily measured and recognizable variations in its gene expression patterns. Two different samples with related gene expression patterns are therefore likely to be biologically and functionally similar to one another. Thus, a specific gene expression signature in a sample can provide important biological insights into its cellular composition and the function of various intracellular pathways within those cells.


Databases of gene expression signatures have proven useful in elucidating the complex gene expression patterns of various cancers. For example, the expression pattern of genes in the germinal center B cell signature in a lymphoma biopsy indicates that the lymphoma includes cells derived from the germinal center stage of differentiation. In the same lymphoma biopsy, the expression of genes from the T cell signature can be used to estimate the degree of infiltration of the tumor by host T cells, while the expression of genes from the proliferation signature can be used to quantitate the tumor cell proliferation rate. In this manner, gene expression signatures provide an “executive summary” of the biological properties of a tumor specimen. Gene expression signatures can also be helpful in interpreting the results of a supervised analysis of gene expression data. A supervised analysis generates a list of genes with expression patterns that correlate with survival. Gene expression signatures can be useful in assigning these “predictive” genes to functional categories. In building a multivariate model of survival based on gene expression data, this functional categorization helps to limit the inclusion of multiple genes in the model that measure the same aspect of tumor biology.


This following approach was utilized to create the survival prediction models for DLBCL of the invention. Gene expression profiles were used to create multivariate models for predicting survival. The methods for creating these models were “supervised” in that they used clinical data to guide the selection of genes to be used in the prognostic classification. The method identified genes with expression patterns that correlated with the length of overall survival following chemotherapy. Generally the process for identifying the multivariate model for predicting survival included the following steps:

    • 1. Genes were identified having expression patterns univariately associated with a particular clinical outcome using a Cox proportional hazards model. Generally, a univariate p-value of <0.01 is considered the cut-off for significance (however, another criterion can be used). These genes were termed “predictor” genes.
    • 2. Within a set of predictor genes, gene expression signatures were identified.
    • 3. For each gene expression signature significantly associated with survival, the average expression of each component genes within this signature was used to generate a gene expression signature value.
    • 4. A multivariate Cox model of clinical outcome using the gene expression signature values was built.
    • 5. Additional genes were added to the model, which added to the statistical power of the model.


The model of the invention generates a survival predictor score, with a higher score being associated with worse clinical outcome. The resulting model can be used separately to predict a survival outcome. Alternatively, the model can be used in conjunction with one or more other models, disclosed herein or in other references, to predict a survival outcome.


The present invention discloses several gene expression signatures related to the clinical outcome of DLBCL patients. The signatures were identified using the clinical data and methods described below in Examples 1 and 2. Three of these gene expression signatures are the germinal center B cell (GCB) signature, the stromal-1 signature, and the stromal-2 signature. Each component gene of these signatures is identified in Table 1 according to its GenBank accession number, its GeneID assigned by Entrez Gene, a common gene symbol, and a descriptive gene title. Table 1 also provides the Affymetrix Probe Set ID, which can be used (e.g., on the Affymetrix U133+ (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, Calif.) microarray) to determine the gene expression level for the indicated gene. The computer-readable sequence listing filed herewith includes a representative fragment sequence (of about 100 bp or greater) for each genomic target sequence listed in Table 1, followed by the sequence for each probe in the corresponding Affymetrix probe set listed in Table 1.














TABLE 1






GenBank
Entrez


Affymetrix


Signature
Accession No.
GeneID
Gene Symbol
Gene Title
Probe Set ID




















GCB
NM_052932
114908
TMEM123
transmembrane protein
211967_at






123


GCB
NM_001014380
84056
KATNAL1
katanin p60 subunit A-like 1
227713_at


GCB
NM_004665
8875
VNN2
vanin 2
205922_at


GCB
NM_004760
9263
STK17A
serine/threonine kinase
202693_s_at






17a (apoptosis-inducing)


GCB
CR590554


Full-length cDNA clone
228464_at






CS0DF007YJ21 of Fetal






brain of Homo sapiens






(human)


GCB
NM_017599
55591
VEZT
vezatin, adherens
223089_at






junctions transmembrane






protein


GCB
NM_018351
55785
FGD6
FYVE, RhoGEF and PH
1555136_at






domain containing 6


GCB
NM_001007075
51088
KLHL5
kelch-like 5 (Drosophila)
226001_at


GCB
NM_004845
9468
PCYT1B
phosphate
228959_at






cytidylyltransferase 1,






choline, beta


GCB
AK026881


CDNA: FLJ23228 fis,
226799_at






clone CAE06654


GCB
NM_018440
55824
PAG1
phosphoprotein
225626_at






associated with






glycosphingolipid






microdomains 1


GCB
NM_004965
3150
HMGN1
high-mobility group
200944_s_at






nucleosome binding






domain 1


GCB
NM_001706
604
BCL6
B cell CLL/lymphoma 6
228758_at






(zinc finger protein 51)


GCB
NM_020747
57507
ZNF608
zinc finger protein 608
229817_at


GCB
NM_001001695
400941
FLJ42418
FLJ42418 protein
231455_at


GCB
NM_015055
23075
SWAP70
SWAP-70 protein
209306_s_at


GCB
NM_005607
5747
PTK2
PTK2 protein tyrosine
208820_at






kinase 2


GCB
XM_027236
23508
TTC9
tetratricopeptide repeat
213172_at






domain 9


GCB
BQ213652
440864
LOC440864
hypothetical gene
1569034_a_at






supported by BC040724


GCB
NM_005574
4005
LMO2
LIM domain only 2
204249_s_at






(rhombotin-like 1)


GCB
NM_014667
9686
VGLL4
vestigial like 4
212399_s_at






(Drosophila)


GCB
NM_002221
3707
ITPKB
inositol 1,4,5-
203723_at






trisphosphate 3-kinase B


GCB
NM_000902
4311
MME
membrane metallo-
203434_s_at






endopeptidase (neutral






endopeptidase,






enkephalinase)


GCB
NM_012446
23635
SSBP2
single-stranded DNA
203787_at






binding protein 2


GCB
NM_024613
79666
PLEKHF2
pleckstrin homology
222699_s_at






domain containing, family






F (with FYVE domain)






member 2


GCB
AV705976


Transcribed locus
204681_s_at


GCB
NM_012108
26228
BRDG1
BCR downstream
220059_at






signaling 1


GCB
NM_014397
10783
NEK6
NIMA (never in mitosis
223158_s_at






gene a)-related kinase 6


GCB
NM_018981
54431
DNAJC10
DnaJ (Hsp40) homolog,
225174_at






subfamily C, member 10


GCB
NM_001379
1786
DNMT1
DNA (cytosine-5-)-
227684_at






methyltransferase 1


GCB
NM_006152
4033
LRMP
lymphoid-restricted
35974_at






membrane protein


GCB
NM_024701
79754
ASB13
ankyrin repeat and SOCS
218862_at






box-containing 13


GCB
NM_006085
10380
BPNT1
3′(2′), 5′-bisphosphate
232103_at






nucleotidase 1


GCB
NM_023009
65108
MARCKSL1
MARCKS-like 1
200644_at


GCB
NM_033121
88455
ANKRD13A
ankyrin repeat domain
224810_s_at






13A


GCB
NM_015187
23231
KIAA0746
KIAA0746 protein
235353_at


GCB
NM_175739
327657
SERPINA9
serpin peptidase inhibitor,
1553499_s_at






clade A (alpha-1






antiproteinase,






antitrypsin), member 9


GCB
NM_001012391
400509
RUNDC2B
RUN domain containing
1554413_s_at






2B


GCB
XM_034274
4603
MYBL1
v-myb myeloblastosis
213906_at






viral oncogene homolog






(avian)-like 1


Stromal-1
NM_024579
79630
C1orf54
chromosome 1 open
219506_at






reading frame 54


Stromal-1
NM_001645
341
APOC1
apolipoprotein C-I
213553_x_at


Stromal-1
NM_001562
3606
IL18
interleukin 18 (interferon-
206295_at






gamma-inducing factor)


Stromal-1
NM_014479
27299
ADAMDEC1
ADAM-like, decysin 1
206134_at


Stromal-1
NM_003465
1118
CHIT1
chitinase 1
208168_s_at






(chitotriosidase)


Stromal-1
NM_000954
5730
PTGDS
prostaglandin D2
211748_x_at






synthase 21 kDa (brain)


Stromal-1
NM_001056
6819
SULT1C1
sulfotransferase family,
211470_s_at






cytosolic, 1C, member 1


Stromal-1
NM_018000
55686
MREG
melanoregulin
219648_at


Stromal-1
NM_001018058
22797
TFEC
transcription factor EC
206715_at


Stromal-1
NM_000239
4069
LYZ
lysozyme (renal
213975_s_at






amyloidosis)


Stromal-1
NM_006834
10981
RAB32
RAB32, member RAS
204214_s_at






oncogene family


Stromal-1
NM_000416
3459
IFNGR1
interferon gamma
202727_s_at






receptor 1


Stromal-1
NM_004666
8876
VNN1
vanin 1
205844_at


Stromal-1
NM_031491
83758
RBP5
retinol binding protein 5,
223820_at






cellular


Stromal-1
NM_001276
1116
CHI3L1
chitinase 3-like 1
209396_s_at






(cartilage glycoprotein-39)


Stromal-1
NM_138434
113763
C7orf29
chromosome 7 open
227598_at






reading frame 29


Stromal-1
NM_001005340
10457
GPNMB
glycoprotein
201141_at






(transmembrane) nmb


Stromal-1
NM_002294
3920
LAMP2
lysosomal-associated
203041_s_at






membrane protein 2


Stromal-1
NM_002888
5918
RARRES1
retinoic acid receptor
221872_at






responder (tazarotene






induced) 1


Stromal-1
NM_172248
1438
CSF2RA
colony stimulating factor 2
210340_s_at






receptor, alpha, low-






affinity (granulocyte-






macrophage)


Stromal-1
NM_018344
55315
SLC29A3
solute carrier family 29
219344_at






(nucleoside transporters),






member 3


Stromal-1
NM_032413
84419
C15orf48
chromosome 15 open
223484_at






reading frame 48


Stromal-1
NM_001001851
80760
ITIH5
inter-alpha (globulin)
1553243_at






inhibitor H5


Stromal-1
NM_000211
3689
ITGB2
integrin, beta 2
1555349_a_at






(complement component






3 receptor 3 and 4






subunit)


Stromal-1
NM_005213
1475
CSTA
cystatin A (stefin A)
204971_at


Stromal-1
NM_003874
8832
CD84
CD84 molecule
205988_at


Stromal-1
NM_000228
3914
LAMB3
laminin, beta 3
209270_at


Stromal-1
NM_005651
6999
TDO2
tryptophan 2,3-
205943_at






dioxygenase


Stromal-1
NM_001005266
283651
C15orf21
chromosome 15 open
242649_x_at






reading frame 21


Stromal-1
AV659177


Transcribed locus
230391_at


Stromal-1
NM_001747
822
CAPG
capping protein (actin
201850_at






filament), gelsolin-like


Stromal-1
NM_000784
1593
CYP27A1
cytochrome P450, family
203979_at






27, subfamily A,






polypeptide 1


Stromal-1
NM_052998
113451
ADC
arginine decarboxylase
228000_at


Stromal-1
NM_016240
51435
SCARA3
scavenger receptor class
219416_at






A, member 3


Stromal-1
Z74615

COL1A1
Collagen, type I, alpha 1
217430_x_at


Stromal-1
NM_052947
115701
ALPK2
alpha-kinase 2
228367_at


Stromal-1
NM_021136
6252
RTN1
reticulon 1
210222_s_at


Stromal-1
AL049370


Full-length cDNA clone
213100_at






CL0BB018ZE07 of






Neuroblastoma of Homo






sapiens (human)


Stromal-1
NM_006042
9955
HS3ST3A1
heparan sulfate
219985_at






(glucosamine) 3-O-






sulfotransferase 3A1


Stromal-1
NM_000041
348
APOE
apolipoprotein E
203382_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_004994
4318
MMP9
matrix metallopeptidase 9
203936_s_at






(gelatinase B, 92 kDa






gelatinase, 92 kDa type IV






collagenase)


Stromal-1
NM_001831
1191
CLU
clusterin
222043_at


Stromal-1
NM_002305
3956
LGALS1
lectin, galactoside-
201105_at






binding, soluble, 1






(galectin 1)


Stromal-1
NM_032024
83938
C10orf11
chromosome 10 open
223703_at






reading frame 11


Stromal-1
NM_001025201
1123
CHN1
chimerin (chimaerin) 1
212624_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_003489
8204
NRIP1
nuclear receptor
202599_s_at






interacting protein 1


Stromal-1
NM_032646
94015
TTYH2
tweety homolog 2
223741_s_at






(Drosophila)


Stromal-1
NM_001312
1397
CRIP2
cysteine-rich protein 2
208978_at


Stromal-1
NM_023075
65258
MPPE1
metallophosphoesterase 1
213924_at


Stromal-1
NM_004364
1050
CEBPA
CCAAT/enhancer binding
204039_at






protein (C/EBP), alpha


Stromal-1
NM_000248
4286
MITF
microphthalmia-
207233_s_at






associated transcription






factor


Stromal-1
NM_002185
3575
IL7R
interleukin 7 receptor
226218_at


Stromal-1
NM_021638
60312
AFAP
actin filament associated
203563_at






protein


Stromal-1
NM_003786
8714
ABCC3
ATP-binding cassette,
208161_s_at






sub-family C






(CFTR/MRP), member 3


Stromal-1

730351
LOC730351
hypothetical protein
229407_at






LOC730351


Stromal-1
NM_012153
26298
EHF
ets homologous factor
225645_at


Stromal-1
NM_004887
9547
CXCL14
chemokine (C—X—C motif)
222484_s_at






ligand 14


Stromal-1
NM_002030
2359
FPRL2
formyl peptide receptor-
230422_at






like 2


Stromal-1
NM_001321
1466
CSRP2
cysteine and glycine-rich
207030_s_at






protein 2


Stromal-1
NM_001945
1839
HBEGF
heparin-binding EGF-like
203821_at






growth factor


Stromal-1
NM_031412
23710
GABARAPL1
GABA(A) receptor-
208869_s_at






associated protein like 1


Stromal-1
NM_006022
8848
TSC22D1
TSC22 domain family,
215111_s_at






member 1


Stromal-1
NM_016174
51148
CEECAM1
cerebral endothelial cell
224794_s_at






adhesion molecule 1


Stromal-1
NM_015103
23129
PLXND1
plexin D1
212235_at


Stromal-1
NM_003270
7105
TSPAN6
tetraspanin 6
209109_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_000887
3687
ITGAX
integrin, alpha X
210184_at






(complement component






3 receptor 4 subunit)


Stromal-1
NM_001864
1346
COX7A1
cytochrome c oxidase
204570_at






subunit VIIa polypeptide 1






(muscle)


Stromal-1
CR599008

GPR157
Full-length cDNA clone
227970_at






CS0DJ007YL22 of T cells






(Jurkat cell line) Cot 10-






normalized of Homo






sapiens (human)


Stromal-1
NM_198580
376497
SLC27A1
solute carrier family 27
226728_at






(fatty acid transporter),






member 1


Stromal-1
NM_025106
80176
SPSB1
splA/ryanodine receptor
226075_at






domain and SOCS box






containing 1


Stromal-1
NM_020130
56892
C8orf4
chromosome 8 open
218541_s_at






reading frame 4


Stromal-1
NM_173833
286133
SCARA5
scavenger receptor class
229839_at






A, member 5 (putative)


Stromal-1
NM_007223
11245
GPR176
G protein-coupled
227846_at






receptor 176


Stromal-1
NM_013437
29967
LRP12
low density lipoprotein-
219631_at






related protein 12


Stromal-1
NM_007332
8989
TRPA1
transient receptor
228438_at






potential cation channel,






subfamily A, member 1


Stromal-1
NM_152744
221935
SDK1
sidekick homolog 1
229912_at






(chicken)


Stromal-1
NM_001409
1953
MEGF6
multiple EGF-like-
226869_at






domains 6


Stromal-1
NM_012082
23414
ZFPM2
zinc finger protein,
219778_at






multitype 2


Stromal-1
NM_080430
140606
SELM
selenoprotein M
226051_at


Stromal-1
NM_030971
81855
SFXN3
sideroflexin 3
217226_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_003246
7057
THBS1
thrombospondin 1
201109_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_003882
8840
WISP1
WNT1 inducible signaling
235821_at






pathway protein 1


Stromal-1
NM_005202
1296
COL8A2
collagen, type VIII, alpha 2
221900_at


Stromal-1
NM_003711
8611
PPAP2A
phosphatidic acid
210946_at






phosphatase type 2A


Stromal-1
NM_004995
4323
MMP14
matrix metallopeptidase
202828_s_at






14 (membrane-inserted)


Stromal-1
NM_001005336
1759
DNM1
dynamin 1
215116_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_153717
2121
EVC
Ellis van Creveld
219432_at






syndrome


Stromal-1
NM_173462
89932
PAPLN
papilin, proteoglycan-like
226435_at






sulfated glycoprotein


Stromal-1
XM_496707
441027
FLJ12993
hypothetical LOC441027
229623_at


Stromal-1
NM_001839
1266
CNN3
calponin 3, acidic
228297_at


Stromal-1
NM_015429
25890
ABI3BP
ABI gene family, member
223395_at






3 (NESH) binding protein


Stromal-1
NM_002840
5792
PTPRF
protein tyrosine
200636_s_at






phosphatase, receptor






type, F


Stromal-1
NM_001001522
6876
TAGLN
transgelin
1555724_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_017637
54796
BNC2
basonuclin 2
229942_at


Stromal-1
NM_003391
7472
WNT2
wingless-type MMTV
205648_at






integration site family






member 2


Stromal-1
NM_015461
25925
ZNF521
zinc finger protein 521
226677_at


Stromal-1
NM_006475
10631
POSTN
periostin, osteoblast
210809_s_at






specific factor


Stromal-1
NM_005418
6764
ST5
suppression of
202440_s_at






tumorigenicity 5


Stromal-1
NM_005203
1305
COL13A1
collagen, type XIII, alpha 1
211343_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_000681
150
ADRA2A
adrenergic, alpha-2A-,
209869_at






receptor


Stromal-1
NM_006622
10769
PLK2
polo-like kinase 2
201939_at






(Drosophila)


Stromal-1
AL528626


Full-length cDNA clone
228573_at






CS0DD001YA12 of






Neuroblastoma Cot 50-






normalized of Homo






sapiens (human)


Stromal-1
AF180519
23766
GABARAPL3
GABA(A) receptors
211458_s_at






associated protein like 3


Stromal-1
NM_024723
79778
MICALL2
MICAL-like 2
219332_at


Stromal-1
NM_057177
117583
PARD3B
par-3 partitioning
228411_at






defective 3 homolog B (C. elegans)


Stromal-1
NM_004949
1824
DSC2
desmocollin 2
226817_at


Stromal-1
NM_032784
84870
RSPO3
R-spondin 3 homolog
228186_s_at






(Xenopus laevis)


Stromal-1
NM_007039
11099
PTPN21
protein tyrosine
226380_at






phosphatase, non-






receptor type 21


Stromal-1
NM_031935
83872
HMCN1
hemicentin 1
235944_at


Stromal-1
AK022877


Clone TUA8 Cri-du-chat
213169_at






region mRNA


Stromal-1
AK127644


CDNA FLJ45742 fis,
236297_at






clone KIDNE2016327


Stromal-1
AK056963


Full length insert cDNA
226282_at






clone ZE03F06


Stromal-1
NM_000899
4254
KITLG
KIT ligand
226534_at


Stromal-1
NM_002387
4163
MCC
mutated in colorectal
226225_at






cancers


Stromal-1
NM_198270
4810
NHS
Nance-Horan syndrome
228933_at






(congenital cataracts and






dental anomalies)


Stromal-1
NM_183376
91947
ARRDC4
arrestin domain
225283_at






containing 4


Stromal-1
NM_000216
3730
KAL1
Kallmann syndrome 1
205206_at






sequence


Stromal-1
NM_001008224
55075
UACA
uveal autoantigen with
223279_s_at






coiled-coil domains and






ankyrin repeats


Stromal-1
NM_133493
135228
CD109
CD109 molecule
226545_at


Stromal-1
NM_005545
3671
ISLR
immunoglobulin
207191_s_at






superfamily containing






leucine-rich repeat


Stromal-1
NM_014365
26353
HSPB8
heat shock 22 kDa protein 8
221667_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_014476
27295
PDLIM3
PDZ and LIM domain 3
209621_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_020962
57722
NOPE
likely ortholog of mouse
227870_at






neighbor of Punc E11


Stromal-1
NM_018357
55323
LARP6
La ribonucleoprotein
218651_s_at






domain family, member 6


Stromal-1
NM_012323
23764
MAFF
v-maf
36711_at






musculoaponeurotic






fibrosarcoma oncogene






homolog F (avian)


Stromal-1
NM_003713
8613
PPAP2B
phosphatidic acid
212230_at






phosphatase type 2B


Stromal-1
NM_023016
65124
ANKRD57
ankyrin repeat domain 57
227034_at


Stromal-1
NM_032777
25960
GPR124
G protein-coupled
65718_at






receptor 124


Stromal-1
NM_001554
3491
CYR61
cysteine-rich, angiogenic
201289_at






inducer, 61


Stromal-1
NM_145117
89797
NAV2
neuron navigator 2
218330_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_001002292
79971
GPR177
G protein-coupled
228950_s_at






receptor 177


Stromal-1
NM_001401
1902
EDG2
endothelial differentiation,
204036_at






lysophosphatidic acid G-






protein-coupled receptor, 2


Stromal-1
NM_198282
340061
TMEM173
transmembrane protein
224929_at






173


Stromal-1
NM_014934
22873
DZIP1
DAZ interacting protein 1
204556_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_001901
1490
CTGF
connective tissue growth
209101_at






factor


Stromal-1
NM_024600
79652
C16orf30
chromosome 16 open
219315_s_at






reading frame 30


Stromal-1
NM_138370
91461
LOC91461
hypothetical protein
225380_at






BC007901


Stromal-1
NM_014632
9645
MICAL2
microtubule associated
212472_at






monoxygenase, calponin






and LIM domain






containing 2


Stromal-1
NM_032866
84952
CGNL1
cingulin-like 1
225817_at


Stromal-1
NM_003687
8572
PDLIM4
PDZ and LIM domain 4
211564_s_at


Stromal-1
BM544548


Transcribed locus
236179_at


Stromal-1
NM_001856
1307
COL16A1
collagen, type XVI, alpha 1
204345_at


Stromal-1
XM_087386
57493
HEG1
HEG homolog 1
213069_at






(zebrafish)


Stromal-1
NM_003887
8853
DDEF2
development and
206414_s_at






differentiation enhancing






factor 2


Stromal-1
NM_002844
5796
PTPRK
protein tyrosine
203038_at






phosphatase, receptor






type, K


Stromal-1
NM_022138
64094
SMOC2
SPARC related modular
223235_s_at






calcium binding 2


Stromal-1
NM_001006624
10630
PDPN
podoplanin
204879_at


Stromal-1
NM_003174
6840
SVIL
supervillin
202565_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_002845
5797
PTPRM
protein tyrosine
1555579_s_at






phosphatase, receptor






type, M


Stromal-1
NM_002889
5919
RARRES2
retinoic acid receptor
209496_at






responder (tazarotene






induced) 2


Stromal-1
NM_006094
10395
DLC1
deleted in liver cancer 1
210762_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_022463
64359
NXN
nucleoredoxin
219489_s_at


Stromal-1
AK027294


CDNA FLJ14388 fis,
229802_at






clone HEMBA1002716


Stromal-1
NM_005711
10085
EDIL3
EGF-like repeats and
225275_at






discoidin I-like domains 3


Stromal-1
NM_000177
2934
GSN
gelsolin (amyloidosis,
200696_s_at






Finnish type)


Stromal-1
NM_016639
51330
TNFRSF12A
tumor necrosis factor
218368_s_at






receptor superfamily,






member 12A


Stromal-1
NM_004460
2191
FAP
fibroblast activation
209955_s_at






protein, alpha


Stromal-1
NM_000064
718
C3
complement component 3
217767_at


Stromal-1
NM_016206
389136
VGLL3
vestigial like 3
227399_at






(Drosophila)


Stromal-1
NM_004339
754
PTTG1IP
pituitary tumor-
200677_at






transforming 1 interacting






protein


Stromal-1
NM_003255
7077
TIMP2
TIMP metallopeptidase
224560_at






inhibitor 2


Stromal-1
NM_002998
6383
SDC2
syndecan 2 (heparan
212158_at






sulfate proteoglycan 1,






cell surface-associated,






fibroglycan)


Stromal-1
NM_012223
4430
MYO1B
myosin IB
212364_at


Stromal-1
NM_020650
57333
RCN3
reticulocalbin 3, EF-hand
61734_at






calcium binding domain


Stromal-1
AL573464


Transcribed locus
229554_at


Stromal-1
AK001903


CDNA FLJ11041 fis,
227140_at






clone PLACE1004405


Stromal-1
NM_005928
4240
MFGE8
milk fat globule-EGF
210605_s_at






factor 8 protein


Stromal-1
NM_000943
5480
PPIC
peptidylprolyl isomerase
204518_s_at






C (cyclophilin C)


Stromal-1
NM_001008397
493869
LOC493869
similar to RIKEN cDNA
227628_at






2310016C16


Stromal-1
AK025431
768211
RELL1
receptor expressed in
226430_at






lymphoid tissues like 1


Stromal-1
NM_000297
5311
PKD2
polycystic kidney disease
203688_at






2 (autosomal dominant)


Stromal-1
NM_002975
6320
CLEC11A
C-type lectin domain
211709_s_at






family 11, member A


Stromal-1
NM_001920
1634
DCN
decorin
211813_x_at


Stromal-1
NM_001723
667
DST
dystonin
215016_x_at


Stromal-1
CR749529


MRNA; cDNA
227554_at






DKFZp686I18116 (from






clone DKFZp686I18116)


Stromal-1
NM_000165
2697
GJA1
gap junction protein,
201667_at






alpha 1, 43 kDa (connexin






43)


Stromal-1
NM_012104
23621
BACE1
beta-site APP-cleaving
217904_s_at






enzyme 1


Stromal-1
NM_001957
1909
EDNRA
endothelin receptor type A
204464_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_138455
115908
CTHRC1
collagen triple helix repeat
225681_at






containing 1


Stromal-1
NM_001331
1500
CTNND1
catenin (cadherin-
208407_s_at






associated protein), delta 1


Stromal-1
NM_001613
59
ACTA2
actin, alpha 2, smooth
200974_at






muscle, aorta


Stromal-1
NM_002192
3624
INHBA
inhibin, beta A (activin A,
210511_s_at






activin AB alpha






polypeptide)


Stromal-1
NM_000935
5352
PLOD2
procollagen-lysine, 2-
202620_s_at






oxoglutarate 5-






dioxygenase 2


Stromal-1
NM_015170
23213
SULF1
sulfatase 1
212354_at


Stromal-1
NM_006039
9902
MRC2
mannose receptor, C type 2
37408_at


Stromal-1
NM_005261
2669
GEM
GTP binding protein
204472_at






overexpressed in skeletal






muscle


Stromal-1
NM_001008707
2009
EML1
echinoderm microtubule
204797_s_at






associated protein like 1


Stromal-1
NM_001031679
253827
MSRB3
methionine sulfoxide
225782_at






reductase B3


Stromal-1
NM_001004125
286319
TUSC1
tumor suppressor
227388_at






candidate 1


Stromal-1
NM_005965
4638
MYLK
myosin, light chain kinase
202555_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_016205
56034
PDGFC
platelet derived growth
218718_at






factor C


Stromal-1
NM_015976
51375
SNX7
sorting nexin 7
205573_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_130830
131578
LRRC15
leucine rich repeat
213909_at






containing 15


Stromal-1
NM_002026
2335
FN1
fibronectin 1
212464_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_006855
11015
KDELR3
KDEL (Lys-Asp-Glu-Leu)
204017_at






endoplasmic reticulum






protein retention receptor 3


Stromal-1
NM_002292
3913
LAMB2
laminin, beta 2 (laminin S)
216264_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_002658
5328
PLAU
plasminogen activator,
205479_s_at






urokinase


Stromal-1
NM_005529
3339
HSPG2
heparan sulfate
201655_s_at






proteoglycan 2 (perlecan)


Stromal-1
NM_001235
871
SERPINH1
serpin peptidase inhibitor,
207714_s_at






clade H (heat shock






protein 47), member 1,






(collagen binding protein






1)


Stromal-1
AJ318805


CDNA FLJ44429 fis,
227061_at






clone UTERU2015653


Stromal-1
NM_000396
1513
CTSK
cathepsin K
202450_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_031302
83468
GLT8D2
glycosyltransferase 8
227070_at






domain containing 2


Stromal-1
NM_080821
116151
C20orf108
chromosome 20 open
224690_at






reading frame 108


Stromal-1
NM_002345
4060
LUM
lumican
201744_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_005110
9945
GFPT2
glutamine-fructose-6-
205100_at






phosphate transaminase 2


Stromal-1
NM_002941
6091
ROBO1
roundabout, axon
213194_at






guidance receptor,






homolog 1 (Drosophila)


Stromal-1
NM_005429
7424
VEGFC
vascular endothelial
209946_at






growth factor C


Stromal-1
NM_002213
3693
ITGB5
integrin, beta 5
201125_s_at


Stromal-1
XM_051017
23363
OBSL1
obscurin-like 1
212775_at


Stromal-1
NM_181724
338773
TMEM119
transmembrane protein
227300_at






119


Stromal-1
NM_003474
8038
ADAM12
ADAM metallopeptidase
213790_at






domain 12 (meltrin alpha)


Stromal-1
NM_018222
55742
PARVA
parvin, alpha
217890_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_006478
10634
GAS2L1
growth arrest-specific 2
31874_at






like 1


Stromal-1
NM_000093
1289
COL5A1
collagen, type V, alpha 1
212489_at


Stromal-1
NM_006288
7070
THY1
Thy-1 cell surface antigen
208851_s_at


Stromal-1
CD357685

TIMP2
Transcribed locus,
231579_s_at






strongly similar to






XP_511714.1 similar to






Metalloproteinase






inhibitor 2 precursor






(TIMP-2) (Tissue inhibitor






of metalloproteinases-2)






(CSC-21K) [Pan






troglodytes]


Stromal-1
NM_003247
7058
THBS2
thrombospondin 2
203083_at


Stromal-1
NM_000088
1277
COL1A1
collagen, type I, alpha 1
1556499_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_006832
10979
PLEKHC1
pleckstrin homology
209210_s_at






domain containing, family






C (with FERM domain)






member 1


Stromal-1
NM_021961
7003
TEAD1
TEA domain family
224955_at






member 1 (SV40






transcriptional enhancer






factor)


Stromal-1
AK128814


CDNA FLJ25106 fis,
213675_at






clone CBR01467


Stromal-1
NM_153367
219654
C10orf56
chromosome 10 open
212423_at






reading frame 56


Stromal-1
AK092048


MRNA; cDNA
227623_at






DKFZp313C0240 (from






clone DKFZp313C0240)


Stromal-1
NM_005245
2195
FAT
FAT tumor suppressor
201579_at






homolog 1 (Drosophila)


Stromal-1
NM_001129
165
AEBP1
AE binding protein 1
201792_at


Stromal-1
NM_002403
4237
MFAP2
microfibrillar-associated
203417_at






protein 2


Stromal-1
NM_004342
800
CALD1
caldesmon 1
201616_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_005576
4016
LOXL1
lysyl oxidase-like 1
203570_at


Stromal-1
NM_199511
151887
CCDC80
coiled-coil domain
225242_s_at






containing 80


Stromal-1
NM_012098
23452
ANGPTL2
angiopoietin-like 2
213001_at


Stromal-1
NM_002210
3685
ITGAV
integrin, alpha V
202351_at






(vitronectin receptor,






alpha polypeptide,






antigen CD51)


Stromal-1
NM_000366
7168
TPM1
tropomyosin 1 (alpha)
210986_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_198474
283298
OLFML1
olfactomedin-like 1
217525_at


Stromal-1
NM_001424
2013
EMP2
epithelial membrane
225078_at






protein 2


Stromal-1
NM_032575
84662
GLIS2
GLIS family zinc finger 2
223378_at


Stromal-1
NM_007173
11098
PRSS23
protease, serine, 23
226279_at


Stromal-1
NM_001015880
9060
PAPSS2
3′-phosphoadenosine 5′-
203060_s_at






phosphosulfate synthase 2


Stromal-1
NM_015645
114902
C1QTNF5
C1q and tumor necrosis
223499_at






factor related protein 5


Stromal-1
AK130049


CDNA FLJ26539 fis,
213429_at






clone KDN09310


Stromal-1
NM_001849
1292
COL6A2
collagen, type VI, alpha 2
209156_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_001014796
4921
DDR2
discoidin domain receptor
225442_at






family, member 2


Stromal-1
NM_015463
25927
C2orf32
chromosome 2 open
226751_at






reading frame 32


Stromal-1
AK055628

ADAM12
CDNA FLJ31066 fis,
226777_at






clone HSYRA2001153


Stromal-1
NM_014799
9843
HEPH
hephaestin
203903_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_004385
1462
CSPG2
chondroitin sulfate
221731_x_at






proteoglycan 2 (versican)


Stromal-1
NM_152330
122786
FRMD6
FERM domain containing 6
225481_at


Stromal-1
BQ917964

PPP4R2
Transcribed locus
235733_at


Stromal-1
NM_002615
5176
SERPINF1
serpin peptidase inhibitor,
202283_at






clade F (alpha-2






antiplasmin, pigment






epithelium derived factor),






member 1


Stromal-1
NM_032348
54587
MXRA8
matrix-remodelling
213422_s_at






associated 8


Stromal-1
NM_006106
10413
YAP1
Yes-associated protein 1,
224894_at






65 kDa


Stromal-1
NM_020182
56937
TMEPAI
transmembrane, prostate
222449_at






androgen induced RNA


Stromal-1
CB999028


Transcribed locus
226834_at


Stromal-1
NM_001711
633
BGN
biglycan
201261_x_at


Stromal-1
NM_006902
5396
PRRX1
paired related homeobox 1
226695_at


Stromal-1
NM_000428
4053
LTBP2
latent transforming growth
204682_at






factor beta binding protein 2


Stromal-1
NM_004369
1293
COL6A3
collagen, type VI, alpha 3
201438_at


Stromal-1
NM_000393
1290
COL5A2
collagen, type V, alpha 2
221730_at


Stromal-1
NM_015419
25878
MXRA5
matrix-remodelling
209596_at






associated 5


Stromal-1
NM_001102
87
ACTN1
actinin, alpha 1
208637_x_at


Stromal-1
NM_000877
3554
IL1R1
interleukin 1 receptor,
202948_at






type I


Stromal-1
NM_015927
7041
TGFB1I1
transforming growth factor
209651_at






beta 1 induced transcript 1


Stromal-1
NM_032772
84858
ZNF503
zinc finger protein 503
227195_at


Stromal-1
NM_020440
5738
PTGFRN
prostaglandin F2 receptor
224937_at






negative regulator


Stromal-1
NM_000138
2200
FBN1
fibrillin 1
202765_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_031442
83604
TMEM47
transmembrane protein
209656_s_at






47


Stromal-1
NM_001734
716
C1S
complement component
208747_s_at






1, s subcomponent


Stromal-1
NM_002290
3910
LAMA4
laminin, alpha 4
202202_s_at


Stromal-1
CN312045

PPP4R2
Transcribed locus, weakly
222288_at






similar to






NP_001013658.1 protein






LOC387873 [Homo






sapiens]


Stromal-1
NM_000089
1278
COL1A2
collagen, type I, alpha 2
202403_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_004530
4313
MMP2
matrix metallopeptidase 2
201069_at






(gelatinase A, 72 kDa






gelatinase, 72 kDa type IV






collagenase)


Stromal-1
NM_001387
1809
DPYSL3
dihydropyrimidinase-like 3
201431_s_at


Stromal-1
NM_138389
92689
FAM114A1
family with sequence
213455_at






similarity 114, member A1


Stromal-1
NM_006670
7162
TPBG
trophoblast glycoprotein
203476_at


Stromal-1
NM_000304
5376
PMP22
peripheral myelin protein
210139_s_at






22


Stromal-1
NM_002775
5654
HTRA1
HtrA serine peptidase 1
201185_at


Stromal-1
NM_002593
5118
PCOLCE
procollagen C-
202465_at






endopeptidase enhancer


Stromal-1
NM_003118
6678
SPARC
secreted protein, acidic,
212667_at






cysteine-rich






(osteonectin)


Stromal-1
NM_007085
11167
FSTL1
follistatin-like 1
208782_at


Stromal-1
NM_001080393
727936

predicted glycosyl-
235371_at






transferase 8 domain






containing 4


Stromal-1
NM_018153
84168
ANTXR1
anthrax toxin receptor 1
224694_at


Stromal-1
NM_001733
715
C1R
complement component
212067_s_at






1, r subcomponent


Stromal-1
NM_001797
1009
CDH11
cadherin 11, type 2, OB-
207173_x_at






cadherin (osteoblast)


Stromal-1
NM_016938
30008
EFEMP2
EGF-containing fibulin-
209356_x_at






like extracellular matrix






protein 2


Stromal-2
NM_014601
30846
EHD2
EH-domain containing 2
45297_at


Stromal-2
NM_017789
54910
SEMA4C
sema domain,
46665_at






immunoglobulin domain






(Ig), transmembrane






domain (TM) and short






cytoplasmic domain,






(semaphorin) 4C


Stromal-2
NM_000484
351
APP
amyloid beta (A4)
200602_at






precursor protein






(peptidase nexin-II,






Alzheimer disease)


Stromal-2
NM_004684
8404
SPARCL1
SPARC-like 1 (mast9,
200795_at






hevin)


Stromal-2
NM_002291
3912
LAMB1
laminin, beta 1
201505_at


Stromal-2
NM_000210
3655
ITGA6
integrin, alpha 6
201656_at


Stromal-2
NM_000552
7450
VWF
von Willebrand factor
202112_at


Stromal-2
NM_001233
858
CAV2
caveolin 2
203323_at


Stromal-2
NM_006404
10544
PROCR
protein C receptor,
203650_at






endothelial (EPCR)


Stromal-2
NM_000609
6387
CXCL12
chemokine (C—X—C motif)
203666_at






ligand 12 (stromal cell-






derived factor 1)


Stromal-2
NM_002253
3791
KDR
kinase insert domain
203934_at






receptor (a type III






receptor tyrosine kinase)


Stromal-2
NM_001442
2167
FABP4
fatty acid binding protein
203980_at






4, adipocyte


Stromal-2
NM_016315
51454
GULP1
GULP, engulfment
204237_at






adaptor PTB domain






containing 1


Stromal-2
NM_006307
8406
SRPX
sushi-repeat-containing
204955_at






protein, X-linked


Stromal-2
NM_000163
2690
GHR
growth hormone receptor
205498_at


Stromal-2
NM_000950
5638
PRRG1
proline rich Gla (G-
205618_at






carboxyglutamic acid) 1


Stromal-2
NM_002666
5346
PLIN
perilipin
205913_at


Stromal-2
NM_000459
7010
TEK
TEK tyrosine kinase,
206702_at






endothelial (venous






malformations, multiple






cutaneous and mucosal)


Stromal-2
NM_004797
9370
ADIPOQ
adiponectin, C1Q and
207175_at






collagen domain






containing


Stromal-2
NM_000442
5175
PECAM1
platelet/endothelial cell
208981_at






adhesion molecule (CD31






antigen)


Stromal-2
NM_198098
358
AQP1
aquaporin 1 (Colton blood
209047_at






group)


Stromal-2
NM_021005
7026
NR2F2
nuclear receptor
209120_at






subfamily 2, group F,






member 2


Stromal-2
NM_014220
4071
TM4SF1
transmembrane 4 L six
209386_at






family member 1


Stromal-2
NM_001001549
2887
GRB10
growth factor receptor-
209409_at






bound protein 10


Stromal-2
NM_006108
10418
SPON1
spondin 1, extracellular
209436_at






matrix protein


Stromal-2
NM_001003679
3953
LEPR
leptin receptor
209894_at


Stromal-2
NM_000599
3488
IGFBP5
insulin-like growth factor
211959_at






binding protein 5


Stromal-2
NM_001753
857
CAV1
caveolin 1, caveolae
212097_at






protein, 22 kDa


Stromal-2
NM_005841
10252
SPRY1
sprouty homolog 1,
212558_at






antagonist of FGF






signaling (Drosophila)


Stromal-2
NM_015345
23500
DAAM2
dishevelled associated
212793_at






activator of






morphogenesis 2


Stromal-2
NM_015234
221395
GPR116
G protein-coupled
212950_at






receptor 116


Stromal-2
NM_006108
10418
SPON1
spondin 1, extracellular
213993_at






matrix protein


Stromal-2
NM_016215
51162
EGFL7
EGF-like-domain, multiple 7
218825_at


Stromal-2
NM_022481
64411
CENTD3
centaurin, delta 3
218950_at


Stromal-2
XM_371262
64123
ELTD1
EGF, latrophilin and
219134_at






seven transmembrane






domain containing 1


Stromal-2
NM_016563
51285
RASL12
RAS-like, family 12
219167_at


Stromal-2
NM_006094
10395
DLC1
deleted in liver cancer 1
224822_at


Stromal-2
NM_019035
54510
PCDH18
protocadherin 18
225975_at


Stromal-2
NM_019055
54538
ROBO4
roundabout homolog 4,
226028_at






magic roundabout






(Drosophila)


Stromal-2
NM_002207
3680
ITGA9
integrin, alpha 9
227297_at


Stromal-2
XM_930608
641700
ECSM2
endothelial cell-specific
227779_at






molecule 2


Stromal-2
XM_037493
85358
SHANK3
SH3 and multiple ankyrin
227923_at






repeat domains 3


Stromal-2
NM_052954
116159
CYYR1
cysteine/tyrosine-rich 1
228665_at


Stromal-2
NM_002837
5787
PTPRB
protein tyrosine
230250_at






phosphatase, receptor






type, B


Stromal-2
NM_019558
3234
HOXD8
homeobox D8
231906_at


Stromal-2
NM_001442
2167
FABP4
fatty acid binding protein
235978_at






4, adipocyte


Stromal-2
NM_024756
79812
MMRN2
multimerin 2
236262_at


Stromal-2
BQ897248


Transcribed locus
242680_at


Stromal-2
NM_020663
57381
RHOJ
ras homolog gene family,
243481_at






member J


Stromal-2
AK091419


CDNA FLJ34100 fis,
1558397_at






clone FCBBF3007597


Stromal-2
NM_015719
50509
COL5A3
collagen, type V, alpha 3
52255_s_at


Stromal-2
NM_012072
22918
CD93
CD93 molecule
202878_s_at


Stromal-2
NM_000300
5320
PLA2G2A
phospholipase A2, group
203649_s_at






IIA (platelets, synovial






fluid)


Stromal-2
NM_019105
7148
TNXB
tenascin XB
206093_x_at


Stromal-2
NM_030754
6289
SAA2
serum amyloid A2
208607_s_at


Stromal-2
NM_019105
7148
TNXB
tenascin XB
208609_s_at


Stromal-2
NM_014220
4071
TM4SF1
transmembrane 4 L six
209387_s_at






family member 1


Stromal-2
NM_000668
125
ADH1B
alcohol dehydrogenase IB
209612_s_at






(class I), beta polypeptide


Stromal-2
NM_000668
125
ADH1B
alcohol dehydrogenase IB
209613_s_at






(class I), beta polypeptide


Stromal-2
NM_001354
1646
AKR1C2
aldo-keto reductase
209699_x_at






family 1, member C2






(dihydrodiol






dehydrogenase 2; bile






acid binding protein; 3-






alpha hydroxysteroid






dehydrogenase, type III)


Stromal-2
NM_001032281
7035
TFPI
tissue factor pathway
210664_s_at






inhibitor (lipoprotein-






associated coagulation






inhibitor)


Stromal-2
NM_001001924
57509
MTUS1
mitochondrial tumor
212096_s_at






suppressor 1


Stromal-2
NM_019105
7148
TNXB
tenascin XB
213451_x_at


Stromal-2
NM_004449
2078
ERG
v-ets erythroblastosis
213541_s_at






virus E26 oncogene






homolog (avian)


Stromal-2
NM_018407
55353
LAPTM4B
lysosomal associated
214039_s_at






protein transmembrane 4






beta


Stromal-2
NM_000331
6288
SAA1
serum amyloid A1
214456_x_at


Stromal-2
NM_019105
7148
TNXB
tenascin XB
216333_x_at


Stromal-2
NM_001034954
10580
SORBS1
sorbin and SH3 domain
218087_s_at






containing 1


Stromal-2
NM_017734
54873
PALMD
palmdelphin
218736_s_at


Stromal-2
NM_024756
79812
MMRN2
multimerin 2
219091_s_at


Stromal-2
NM_006744
5950
RBP4
retinol binding protein 4,
219140_s_at






plasma


Stromal-2
NM_001034954
10580
SORBS1
sorbin and SH3 domain
222513_s_at






containing 1









The DLBCL survival predictors of the invention were generated using expression data and methods described in Examples 1 and 2, below. The first bivariate survival predictor incorporates the GCB and stromal-1 gene expression signatures. Fitting the Cox proportional hazards model to the gene expression data obtained from these two signatures resulted in a bivariate model survival predictor score calculated using the following generalized equation:





Bivariate DLBCL survival predictor score=A−[(x)*(GCB signature value)]−[(y)*(stromal-1 signature value)].


In this equation, A is an offset term, while (x) and (y) are scale factors. The GCB signature value and the stromal-1 signature value can correspond to the average of the expression levels of all genes in the GCB signature and the stromal-1 signature, respectively. A lower survival predictor score indicates a more favorable survival outcome, and a higher survival predictor score indicates a less favorable survival outcome for the subject.


The bivariate survival predictor was refined into a multivariate survival predictor that incorporates GCB, stromal-1, and stomal-2 gene expression signatures. Fitting the Cox proportional hazards model to the gene expression data obtained from these three signatures resulted in a multivariate model survival predictor score calculated using the following generalized equation:





General multivariate DLBCL survival predictor score=A−[(x)*(GCB signature value)]−[(y)*(stromal-1 signature value)]+[(z)*(stromal-2 signature value)].


In this equation, A is an offset term, while (x), (y), and (z) are scale factors. The GCB signature value, the stromal-1 signature value, and the stromal-2 signature value can correspond to the average of the expression levels of all genes in the GCB signature, the stromal-1 signature, and the stromal-2 signature, respectively. A lower survival predictor score indicates a more favorable survival outcome and a higher survival predictor score indicates a less favorable survival outcome for the subject.


In one embodiment, the invention provides the following multivariate survival predictor equation:





Multivariate DLBCL survival predictor score=8.11−[0.419*(GCB signature value)]−[1.015*(stromal-1 signature value)]+[0.675*(stromal-2 signature value)]


In this equation, a lower survival predictor score indicates a more favorable survival outcome, and a higher survival predictor score indicates a poorer survival outcome for the subject.


In other embodiments of the multivariate DLBCL survival predictor score equation, the offset term (A) or (8.11) can be varied without affecting the equation's usefulness in predicting clinical outcome. Scale factors (x), (y), and (z) can also be varied, individually or in combination. For example, scale factor (x) can be from about 0.200 or more, from about 0.225 or more, from about 0.250 or more, from about 0.275 or more, from about 0.300, from about 0.325 or more, from about 0.350 or more, from about 0.375 or more, or from about 0.400 or more. Alternatively, or in addition, scale factor (x) can be about 0.625 or less, about 0.600 or less, about 0.575 or less, about 0.550 or less, about 0.525 or less, about 0.500 or less, about 0.475 or less, about 0.450 or less, or about 0.425 or less. Thus, scale factor (z) can be one that is bounded by any two of the previous endpoints. For example scale factor (x) can be a value from 0.200-0.625, from 0.350-0.550, from 0.350-0.475, or from 0.400-0.425. Similarly, scale factor (y) can be from about 0.800 or more, from about 0.825 or more, from about 0.850 or more, from about 0.875 or more, from about 0.900 or more, from about 0.925 or more, from about 0.950 or more, from about 0.975 or more, or from about 1.000 or more. Alternatively, or in addition, scale factor (y) can be, e.g., about 1.250 or less, e.g., about 1.225 or less, about 1.200, about 1.175 or less, about 1.150 or less, about 1.125 or less, about 1.100 or less, about 1.075 or less, about 1.050 or less, or about 1.025 or less. Thus, scale factor (y) can be one that is bounded by any two of the previous endpoints. For example, scale factor (y) can be a value from 0.800-1.250, a value from 0.950-1.1025, a value from 0.950-1.200 or a value from 1.000-1.025. Also similarly, scale factor (z) can be from about 0.450 or more, about 0.475 or more, about 0.500 or more, about 0.525 or more, about 0.550 or more, about 0.575 or more, about 0.600 or more, about 0.625 or more, or about 0.650 or more. Alternatively, or in addition, scale factor (z) can be, e.g., about 0.900 or less, e.g., about 0.875 or less, about 0.850, about 0.825 or less, about 0.800 or less, about 0.775 or less, about 0.750 or less, or about 0.725 or less. Thus, scale factor (z) can be one that is bounded by any two of the previous endpoints. For example, scale factor (z) can be a value from 0.450-0.900, any value from 0.650-0.725, any value from 0.625-0.775 or any value from 0.650-0.700.


Furthermore, the invention includes any set of scale factors (x), (y), and (z) in conjunction in the general multivariate DLBCL survival predictor score that creates a function that is monotonically related to a multivariate DLBCL survival predictor score equation using any combination of the foregoing specified scale factor (x), (y), and (z) values.


In some embodiments of the invention, a survival predictor score can be calculated using fewer than all of the gene components of the GCB signature, the stromal-1 signature, and/or the stromal-2 signature listed in Table 1. For example, the survival prediction equations disclosed herein can be calculated using mathematical combinations of the expressions of 98% (38), 95% (37), 93% (36), or 90% (35) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the GCB signature, about 99% (about 280), about 98% (about 277), 97% (about 275), about 96% (about 272), about 95% (about 270), about 94% (about 266), about 93% (about 263), about 92% (about 260), about 91% (about 257), or about 90% (about 255) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the stromal-1 signature, and/or 99% (71), 97% (70), 96% (69), 95% (68) 93% (67), 92% (66), or 90% (65) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the stromal-2 signature (instead of using all of the genes corresponding to a gene signature in Table 1 to calculate the GCB signature value, the stromal-1 signature value, and/or stromal-2 signature value, respectively). In other embodiments, the survival prediction equations disclosed herein can be calculated using mathematical combinations of the expressions of 88% (34 genes), 85% (33 genes), 82% (32 genes), 80% (31 genes) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the GCB signature, about 89% (about 252), about 88% (about 249), about 87% (about 246), about 86% (about 243), about 85% (about 241), about 84% (about 238), about 83% (about 235), about 82% (about 232), about 81% (about 229), or about 80% (about 226) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the stromal-1 signature, and/or 89% (64), 88% (63), 86% (62), 85% (61), 83% (60), 82% (59) or 80% (58) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the stromal-2 signature (instead of using all of the genes corresponding to a gene signature in Table 1 to calculate the GCB signature value, the stromal-1 signature value, and/or stromal-2 signature value, respectively).


The invention also provides a method of using a DLBCL survival predictor score to predict the probability of a survival outcome beyond an amount of time t following treatment for DLBCL. The method includes calculating the probability of a survival outcome for a subject using the following general equation:






P(SO)=SO0(t)(exp((s)*(survival predictor score)))


In this equation, P(SO) is the subject's probability of the survival outcome beyond time t following treatment for DLBCL, SO0(t) is the probability of survival outcome, which corresponds to the largest time value smaller than t in a survival outcome curve, and (s) is a scale factor. Treatment for DLBCL can include chemotherapy and the administration of Rituximab. A survival curve can be calculated using statistical methods, such as the Cox Proportional Hazard Model. Additional information regarding survival outcome curves is set forth in Lawless, Statistical Models and Methods for Lifetime Data, John Wiley and Sons (New York 1982) and Kalbfleisch et al., Biometrika, 60: 267-79 (1973).


In one embodiment, the method of the invention includes calculating the probability of overall survival for a subject beyond an amount of time t following treatment for DLBCL. The method includes calculating the probability of a survival outcome for a subject using the following general equation:






P(OS)=SO0(t)(exp(survival predictor score))


In the equation, P(OS) is the subject's probability of overall survival beyond time t following treatment for DLBCL, SO0(t) is the curve probability of survival outcome, which corresponds to the largest time value in a survival curve which is smaller than t, and the general equation scale factor (s)=1. Treatment for DLBCL can include chemotherapy alone or in combination with the administration of Rituximab (R-CHOP).


In another embodiment, the method of the invention includes calculating the probability of progression-free survival for a subject beyond an amount of time t following treatment for DLBCL. The method includes calculating the probability of a survival outcome for a subject using the following general equation:






P(PFS)=SO0(t)(exp(0.976*(survival predictor score)))


In this equation, P(PFS) is the subject's probability of progression-free survival beyond time t following treatment for DLBCL, SO0(t) is the curve probability of progression-free survival, which corresponds to the largest time value in a survival curve which is smaller than t, and the general equation scale factor (s)=0.976. The treatment for DLBCL can include chemotherapy alone or in combination with the administration of Rituximab (R-CHOP).


The foregoing equations for P(OS) and P(PFS) were generated by maximizing the partial likelihoods of the Cox proportional hazards model within the LLMPP CHOP data described below in Examples 1 and 2. Separate single variable Cox proportional hazards models were considered for overall survival P(OS) and for progression free survival P(PFS) based on this model score formulation. The single variable scale factor (1.0 for overall survival and 0.997 for progression free survival) were generated for each model by maximization of the partial likelihoods within the R-CHOP patients described below in Examples 1 and 2.


In other embodiments, the scale factor in the foregoing P(PFS) can be varied such that (instead of 0.976) scale factor (s) is a value between 0.970 and 0.980, e.g. 0.971, 0.972, 0.973, 0.973, 0.974, 0.975, 0.977, 0.978, and 0.979.


The invention also provides a method of selecting a subject for antiangiogenic therapy of DLBCL based on the subject's high relative expression of stromal-2 signature genes. As discussed more fully below in Example 4, the stromal-2 signature includes a number of genes whose expression or gene products are related to angiogenesis. Thus, high relative expression of stromal-2 signature genes in DLBCL can be indicative of high angiogenic activity. Moreover, high relative expression of stromal-2 signature genes can be related to the heavy infiltration of some DLBCL tumors with myeloid lineage cells. Accordingly, subjects with high relative expression of stromal-2 signature genes are good candidates for treatment with antiangiogenic therapy, either alone or in combination with other anti-oncogenic therapies. Furthermore, as also discussed more fully in Example 4, a stromal score, which was obtained by subtracting the stromal-1 signature value from the stromal-2 signature value, was observed to correlate with high tumor blood vessel density.


In this regard, the antiangiogenic monoclonal antibody to vascular endothelial growth factor bevacizumab has been clinically tested in patients with DLBCL (Ganjoo et al., Leuk. Lymphoma, 47: 998-1005 (2006)). Other antiangiogenic therapies can include small molecule inhibitors of SDF-1 receptor, such as CXCR4 (Petit et al., Trends Immunol., 28: 299-307 (2007). Still another example of an antiangiogenic therapy can include blocking antibodies to the myeloid lineage cell marker CTGF, which has been implicated in angiogenesis. Moreover, anti-CTGF antibodies have been shown to have anti-cancer activity in pre-clinical models of cancer (Aikawa et al., Mol. Cancer Ther., 5: 1108-16 (2006)).


In one embodiment, the method of the invention for selecting a subject for antiangiogenic therapy includes obtaining a gene expression profile from a DLBCL biopsy from the subject. The subject's stromal-2 signature value is determined. The subject's stromal-2 signature value is then compared to a standard stromal-2 value. A standard stromal-2 value corresponds to the average of multiple stromal-2 signature values in DLBCL biopsy samples from a plurality of randomly selected subjects with DLBCL, e.g., more than 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, or 250 randomly selected subjects with DLBCL. If the subject's stromal-2 signature value is significantly higher than the standard stromal-2 value, then the subject can be treated with anti-angiogenic therapy.


In another embodiment, the method of the invention for selecting a subject for anti-angiogenic therapy includes obtaining a gene expression profile from a DLBCL biopsy from the subject. The subject's stromal 1 signature value and stromal-2 signature value are determined. The stromal-1 signature value is then subtracted from the stromal-2 signature value to obtain a stomal score. The subject's stromal score is then compared to a standard stromal score. A standard stromal score corresponds to the average of multiple stromal scores (each stromal score=[stromal-2 signature value])−[stromal-1 signature value]) derived from DLBCL biopsy samples from a plurality of randomly selected subjects with DLBCL, e.g., more than 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, or 250 randomly selected subjects with DLBCL. If the subject's stromal score is significantly higher than the standard stromal score, then the subject can be treated with anti-angiogenic therapy.


The invention further provides a targeted array that can be used to detect the expression levels of all or most of the genes in a germinal center B cell gene (GCB) expression signature, a stromal-1 gene expression signature, and/or a stromal-2 gene expression signature. A targeted array, as used herein, is an array directed to a limited set of genes and thus differs from a whole genome array. The targeted array of the invention can include probes for fewer than 20,000 genes, fewer than 15,000 genes, fewer than 10,000 genes, fewer than 8,000 genes, fewer than 7,000 genes, fewer than 6,000 genes, fewer than 5,000 genes, or fewer than 4,000 genes. Generally, the targeted array includes probes for at least 80% of the genes in a germinal center B cell gene (GCB) expression signature, a stromal-1 gene expression signature, and/or a stromal-2 gene expression signature. The targeted arrays of the invention can be used, for example, to detect expression levels for use in the methods described herein.


The invention provides a targeted array that includes probes for all of the genes in the stromal-1 gene expression signature. The invention also provides a targeted array that includes probes for all of the genes in the stromal-2 gene expression signature. Additionally, the invention provides a targeted array that includes probes for all of the genes in the stromal-1 gene expression signature and all of the genes in the stromal-2 gene expression signature. Moreover, the invention provides a targeted array that includes probes for all of the genes in the stromal-1 gene expression signature, all of the genes in the stromal-2 gene expression signature, and all of the genes in the GCB signature.


In certain embodiments, the arrays of the invention can include 98% (38), 95% (37), 93% (36), or 90% (35) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the GCB signature, about 99% (about 280), about 98% (about 277), 97% (about 275), about 96% (about 272), about 95% (about 270), about 94% (about 266), about 93% (about 263), about 92% (about 260), about 91% (about 257), or about 90% (about 255) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the stromal-1 signature, and/or 99% (71), 97% (70), 96% (69), 95% (68) 93% (67), 92% (66), or 90% (65) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the stromal-2 signature (instead of all of the genes listed in Table 1 for the GCB signature average, the stromal-1 signature average, and/or stromal-2 signature average, respectively). In certain embodiments, the arrays of the invention can include 88% (34 genes), 85% (33 genes), 82% (32 genes), 80% (31 genes) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the GCB signature, about 89% (about 252), about 88% (about 249), about 87% (about 246), about 86% (about 243), about 85% (about 241), about 84% (about 238), about 83% (about 235), about 82% (about 232), about 81% (about 229), or about 80% (about 226) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the stromal-1 signature, and/or 89% (64), 88% (63), 86% (62), 85% (61), 83% (60), 82% (59) or 80% (58) of the genes listed in Table 1 for the stromal-2 signature (instead of all of the genes listed in Table 1 for the GCB signature average, the stromal-1 signature average, and/or stromal-2 signature average, respectively).


The following examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in any way limiting its scope.


Example 1

This example demonstrates that significant differences were found between the survival outcomes for R-CHOP treated ABC DLBCL and GCB DLBCL patients and that survival outcome correlated with three prognostic gene expression signatures.


Pre-treatment tumor biopsy specimens and clinical data were obtained from 414 patients with de novo DLBCL treated at 10 institutions in North America and Europe and studied according to a protocol approved by the National Cancer Institute's Institutional Review Board. Patients included in a “LLMP CHOP cohort” of 181 patients were treated with anthracycline-based combinations, most often cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) or similar regimens, as previously described (Rosenwald et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 346: 1937-47 (2002)). The remaining 233 patients constituted an R-CHOP cohort that received similar chemotherapy plus Rituximab. The median follow-up in the R-CHOP cohort was 2.1 years (2.8 years for survivors). A panel of expert hematopathologists confirmed the diagnosis of DLBCL using current WHO criteria. Additional clinical patient characteristics for the R-CHOP cohort are described in Table 2. Additional analysis used a second “MMMNLP CHOP” cohort of 177 patients studied by the Molecular Mechanisms of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Network Project (Hummel et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 354: 2419-30 (2006)).









TABLE 2







Clinical characteristics of DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP














% Germinal
% Activated
%




%
center B cell-
B cell-like
Unclassified



Total
like DLBCL
DLBCL
DLBCL


Characteristic
(N = 233)
(N = 107)
(N = 93)
(N = 33)
P-value















Age >60 yr
52
47
63
39
0.02


Ann Arbor stage > II
54
48
62
50
0.06


Lactate
48
43
58
41
0.06


Dehydrogenase >1x


Normal


No. of extranodal
15
14
15
14
0.8


sites >1


Eastern Cooperative
25
17
33
27
0.02


Oncology Group


(ECOG) performance


status


International




<0.001


Prognostic Index


(IPI) Score


0 or 1
41
55
21
50


2 or 3
46
33
63
38


4 or 5
13
12
15
12


Revised IPI Score




<0.001


0
19
27
5
28


1 or 2
56
52
64
48


3-5
25
21
31
24









Gene expression profiling was performed using Affymetrix U133+2.0 microarrays. Gene expression profiling data are available through the National Center for Biotechnology Information web site as described in Lenz et al., New Engl. J. Med. 359: 2313-23 (2008), at page 2314. All gene expression array data were normalized using MAS 5.0 software, and were log 2 transformed. To account for technical differences in the microarray processing between the R-CHOP cohort data and the LLMPP CHOP cohort data, the expression values of each gene in the R-CHOP cohort data were adjusted so that its median matched the median of the LLMPP CHOP data.


Gene expression signature identification and survival predictor model development were based solely on the data from the LLMPP CHOP training set. No prior survival analysis or subgroup analysis was performed with the test sets (MMMLNP CHOP and R-CHOP cohorts). The Cox model was used to identify genes associated with survival in the CHOP training set and to build multivariate survival models. The models and their associated scaling coefficients were fixed based on the CHOP training set and then evaluated on the test sets. The P-values of survival effects of continuous variables such as gene expression or signature expression were calculated with the Cox likelihood ratio test. The significance of survival effects based on discrete variables such as lymphoma subtype or International Prognostic Index (IPI) was calculated using the log rank test. Validation P-values presented are one-sided in the direction observed in the training set. All other P-values were two sided. Survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.


All aspects of gene expression signature identification and survival predictor model development were based solely on the data from the CHOP training set. No prior survival analysis or subgroup analysis was performed with the test sets (MMMLNP CHOP and R-CHOP cohorts). The Cox model was used to identify genes associated with survival in the CHOP training set and to build multivariate survival models. The models and their associated scale factors were fixed based on the CHOP training set, and then evaluated on the test sets.


Since ABC and GCB DLBCL subtypes have distinct overall survival rates with CHOP chemotherapy (Rosenwald et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 346: 1937-47 (2002); Alizadeh et al., Nature, 403:503-11(2000); Hummel et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 354:2419-30 (2006); Monti, Blood, 105:1851-61(2005)), whether this distinction remains prognostically significant among patients treated with R-CHOP was tested (Coiffier et al, N. Engl. J. Med., 346: 235-42 (2002)). Gene expression profiles were determined for pre-treatment biopsy samples from a “training set” of 181 patients treated with CHOP or CHOP-like chemotherapy alone and from a “test set” of 233 patients treated with R-CHOP. The patients in these two cohorts were comparable with respect to age range and distribution of the clinical prognostic variables that constitute the International Prognostic Index (IPI) (Table 2). In the R-CHOP cohort, patients with GCB DLBCL had better survival rates than those with ABC DLBCL. Specifically, R-CHOP treated GCB DLBCL and ABC DLBCL patients had 3-year overall survival rates of 84% and 56%, respectively, and 3-year progression-free survival rates of 74% and 40%, respectively (FIGS. 1A and 1B). In the CHOP training set, and in a second “MMMLMP” CHOP cohort (Hummel et al., supra), the overall survival rates for ABC DLBCL and GCB DLBCL were lower than in the R-CHOP cohort (FIG. 6). Multivariate analysis indicated that the relative benefit (i.e., change in survival outcome) due to R-CHOP therapy (as compared to CHOP) was not significantly different between ABC and GCB DLBCL.


Four gene expression signatures have been previously shown to have prognostic significance in DLBCL patients treated with CHOP (Rosenwald et al., supra). Of these, the GCB signature and lymph node signature were associated with favorable survival, and the proliferation signature was associated with inferior survival within the CHOP training set, in the MMMLNP CHOP cohort (see the corresponding signature panels in FIG. 7), and in the R-CHOP cohort (see corresponding signature panels in FIG. 1C). Thus, the biological differences among DLBCL tumors reflected by these three signatures remain prognostically important in Rituximab treated patients, even though Rituximab treatment generally improved survival in DLBCL.


The remaining fourth gene expression signature, the MHC class II signature, which was associated with survival in the CHOP training set when treated as a continuous variable, was not associated with survival in the R-CHOP cohort (see MHC class II signature panel in FIG. 1C). Moreover, tumors with extremely low “outlier” expression of this signature were associated with inferior survival in both CHOP cohorts (see FIGS. 8A and 8B), but not in the R-CHOP cohort (see FIG. 8C).


The foregoing results indicate that Rituximab immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy (R-CHOP) benefits both the ABC and GCB subtypes of DLBCL and that gene expression signatures that predicted survival in the context of CHOP chemotherapy retained their prognostic power among R-CHOP-treated patients.


The foregoing results also indicate that the biological variation among DLBCL tumors, as measured by gene expression signatures, has a consistent relationship to therapeutic response regardless of the treatment regimen used. There is a striking difference in 3-year progression-free survival between ABC DLBCL patients and GCB DLBCL patients treated with R-CHOP (40% vs. 74%). This difference is likely due to genetic and biological differences between these DLBCL subtypes (Staudt et al., Adv. Immunol., 87: 163-208 (2005)).


Hence, future clinical trials in DLBCL should incorporate quantitative methods to discern these biological differences so that patient cohorts in different trials can be compared and treatment responses can be related to defined tumor phenotypes.


Example 2

This example demonstrates the development of GCB, stromal-1, and stromal-2 survival signatures and a related multivariate model of survival for R-CHOP-treated DLBCL.


Unless otherwise indicated, patient cohorts and methods of gene expression analysis are as described in Example 1.


In the LLMPP CHOP cohort data, 936 genes were identified as associated with poor prognosis p<0.01 (1-sided). For genes having multiple array probe sets associated with survival, only the probe set with the strongest association with survival was used. The expression values of the probe sets in the LLMPP CHOP cohort data were then clustered. The largest cluster with an average correlation of >0.6 and containing myc was identified as the proliferation survival signature. 1396 genes were identified as associated with favorable outcome. The largest cluster with average correlation of >0.6 and containing BCL6 was identified as the germinal center B cell (GCB) survival signature. A cluster with average correlation of >0.6 and containing FN1 was identified as the stromal-1 survival signature, whereas another cluster with average correlation of >0.6 containing HLADRA was identified as the MHC class II survival signature. The expression levels of genes within each signature were then averaged to create a “signature average” for each biopsy specimen. For the MMMLNP CHOP data set, the average was calculated for those array elements represented on the Affymetrix U133A microarray.


From the four prognostic clusters or signatures, two signatures, the stromal-1 and the GCB signatures were used to create the best two variable survival model. Neither the proliferation nor the MHC class II signatures added to the prognostic value of this two variable model. This bivariate model performed well in the MMMLNP CHOP cohort (FIG. 9A) and in the R-CHOP cohort (FIG. 2A).


The CHOP training set was used to discover and refine signatures that added to the prognostic significance of this bivariate model, and the resulting multivariate models were tested in the R-CHOP cohort. 563 genes were identified as adding to the model in the direction of adverse prognosis. These genes were clustered by hierarchical clustering, and three clusters of more than 10 genes with an average correlation of >0.6 were identified. In addition, 542 genes were identified which added to the stromal-1 and GCB signature model in the direction of favorable prognosis. These genes were clustered, and two clusters of more than 10 genes with an average correlation of >0.6 were identified. Signature averages were determined for these clusters, and three variable models containing the stromal-1 and GCB signature and each of the cluster averages were formed on the MMMLNP CHOP and R-CHOP data sets. Of the five cluster averages, two were found to add statistical significance (p<0.02) in the MMMLNP CHOP data as compared to a model containing the stromal-1 and GCB signatures alone. By contrast, in the R-CHOP data, three of the five cluster averages were found to add significance (p<0.02) to the bivariate model. One of these cluster averages added significantly to the bivariate model in both the MMMLNP CHOP and R-CHOP data. This signature, designated Signature 122, was also found to add to the stromal-1 and GCB signature far more significantly than any of the four other signatures on the LLMPP CHOP data and, thus, was retained for further analysis.


Signature 122 added significantly to the bivariate model in both the MMMLNP CHOP cohort (p=0.011) and in the R-CHOP cohort (p=0.001) (FIGS. 9 B and 9C). This Signature 122 positively correlated with the stromal-1 signature, although it was associated with adverse survival when added to the bivariate model. To further refine our model, we identified genes that were more correlated with Signature 122 than with the stromal-1 signature (p<0.02). These genes were organized by hierarchical clustering, and three sets of correlated genes (r>0.6) were observed. One of these clusters, the stromal-2 signature, added to the significance of the bivariate model in both the MMMLNP CHOP cohort (p=0.002) and the R-CHOP cohort (p<0.001) (FIGS. 2B and 9D).


A multivariate survival model was formed by fitting a Cox model with the GCB, stromal-1, and stomal-2 signatures to the LLMPP CHOP cohort data shown in Table 3. This final multivariate model with its associated scaling coefficients was then evaluated on the MMLLMPP CHOP and R-CHOP cohort data sets. Survival predictor scores from the final model were used to divide the R-CHOP cohort into quartile groups with 3-year overall survival rates of 89%, 82%, 74%, and 48%, and 3-year progression-free survival rates of 84%, 69%, 61% and 33% (FIG. 2B). The survival predictor scores from the final model are illustrated in FIG. 3 along with the three component signatures and representative genes of each signature.

















TABLE 3






Time to
Status at
Time to death,
Status at last
Germinal






death or last
last follow up
progression, or
follow up
Center
Stromal-1
Stromal-2



follow up
(1 = dead,
last follow up
(1 = progressed or died,
Signature
Signature
Signature
Model


Patient
(years)
0 = alive)
(years)
0 = no progression)
Average
Average
Average
Score























2
2.75
0
2.75
0
9.238
8.778
7.475
0.376


3
2.67
0
2.67
0
9.942
8.227
7.102
0.387


5
1.27
1
0.72
1
8.859
9.033
8.716
1.113


21
2.39
0
2.40
0
10.573
8.519
6.959
−0.270


22
2.38
0
2.38
0
8.737
8.686
7.598
0.761


23
2.52
0
2.52
0
10.694
10.322
8.817
−0.897


24
5.11
0
5.11
0
11.376
7.854
7.598
0.500


26
4.01
0
4.01
0
9.829
9.956
8.507
−0.372


28
3.96
0
3.96
0
10.957
9.277
8.248
−0.330


41
0.52
1
0.52
1
9.273
9.437
8.202
0.183


47
1.53
1
0.77
1
9.548
8.802
8.061
0.617


48
0.37
1
0.12
1
8.660
8.279
6.891
0.729


49
2.37
0
2.35
1
10.915
8.988
6.847
−0.965


53
3.89
0
2.23
1
9.530
9.792
9.693
0.721


61
0.90
1
0.46
1
8.649
8.038
8.104
1.798


65
4.04
0
4.04
0
10.744
9.330
7.930
−0.508


66
4.04
0
4.04
0
10.714
10.016
7.536
−1.459


95
0.62
1
0.44
1
9.244
9.197
8.105
0.373


96
5.37
0
5.37
0
10.107
8.723
7.608
0.157


97
5.07
0
5.07
0
9.777
9.192
7.359
−0.349


98
0.94
1
0.59
1
8.794
7.711
7.367
1.571


99
0.40
1
0.40
1
9.024
9.272
9.160
1.101


103
0.03
1
0.02
1
8.883
8.190
7.742
1.301


104
3.76
0
3.76
0
9.785
9.866
7.929
−0.652


106
2.95
0
2.95
0
10.585
7.797
6.824
0.367


107
2.94
0
2.94
0
11.535
8.358
6.660
−0.711


108
2.73
0
2.73
0
9.653
8.495
7.550
0.539


109
0.16
1
0.11
1
9.301
9.376
7.994
0.092


110
2.46
0
2.46
0
10.254
8.980
7.324
−0.357


111
2.44
0
2.44
0
10.137
10.691
8.948
−0.949


113
2.12
0
2.12
0
10.746
8.555
6.942
−0.390


114
1.98
0
0.88
1
8.562
8.159
7.120
1.047


115
1.92
0
1.92
0
10.313
9.385
8.157
−0.231


118
1.64
0
1.64
0
10.209
10.194
8.231
−0.959


119
1.60
0
1.60
0
11.059
8.852
7.479
−0.461


1087
0.05
1
0.05
1
8.756
8.491
7.949
1.188


1089
5.12
0
1.27
1
9.863
9.135
8.034
0.129


1091
5.15
0
5.15
0
10.454
9.918
8.742
−0.437


1092
5.06
0
5.07
0
9.452
9.467
8.912
0.556


1093
3.83
1
1.62
1
9.915
9.138
7.747
−0.090


1096
4.02
0
4.02
0
8.887
9.236
7.795
0.274


1097
1.26
1
1.08
1
11.219
9.234
8.321
−0.347


1098
3.53
0
3.53
0
9.117
9.236
7.655
0.082


1099
3.07
0
0.91
1
9.284
8.798
7.741
0.515


1101
5.64
0
5.64
0
9.803
9.466
8.156
−0.101


1108
3.30
0
3.30
0
9.195
10.456
9.065
−0.237


1109
3.78
0
3.78
0
11.008
10.051
8.273
−1.120


1164
0.19
1
0.16
1
9.242
10.307
10.548
0.896


1167
1.49
1
0.45
1
9.809
9.105
8.784
0.687


1168
0.42
1
0.30
1
8.718
8.368
7.149
0.790


1169
1.71
1
1.22
1
11.512
8.108
7.507
0.125


1172
2.82
0
2.82
0
11.137
8.871
8.153
−0.057


1173
0.87
1
0.79
1
11.324
9.914
8.514
−0.950


1175
1.06
1
0.56
1
9.107
10.310
9.063
−0.053


1179
2.53
0
2.53
0
9.506
9.437
8.461
0.260


1181
1.72
0
1.72
0
10.688
9.018
7.647
−0.360


1184
4.74
0
2.97
1
10.812
8.979
7.922
−0.187


1185
3.71
0
3.71
0
10.431
8.397
7.317
0.156


1186
3.43
0
3.43
0
8.688
8.944
8.552
1.164


1187
5.23
0
5.23
0
10.072
10.192
8.667
−0.604


1189
5.13
0
5.13
0
10.109
9.212
7.967
−0.097


1190
3.66
0
3.66
0
10.713
10.409
8.910
−0.930


1192
0.16
1
0.16
1
8.825
9.903
8.061
−0.199


1195
4.36
0
4.36
0
11.539
7.567
6.873
0.234


1197
3.13
0
3.13
0
10.287
10.365
9.549
−0.275


1200
0.31
1
0.31
1
9.432
8.950
9.805
1.692


1206
6.51
0
6.51
0
10.410
9.946
8.925
−0.323


1211
6.25
0
6.25
0
11.596
7.908
6.524
−0.372


1215
5.35
0
5.35
0
10.504
9.061
7.550
−0.392


1216
0.46
1
0.29
1
10.017
9.010
7.794
0.028


1219
0.51
1
0.51
1
10.614
10.014
8.619
−0.683


1220
2.24
1
2.25
1
8.850
9.400
8.036
0.286


1221
3.94
0
3.95
0
8.777
7.489
6.672
1.334


1222
3.53
0
3.53
0
10.463
9.310
7.019
−0.986


1224
3.22
0
2.11
1
9.751
9.505
8.453
0.082


1225
2.95
0
2.95
0
8.613
8.313
7.668
1.240


1226
0.08
1
0.08
1
9.229
8.851
7.950
0.625


1228
2.78
0
0.99
1
11.532
8.261
6.932
−0.428


1230
0.59
1
0.54
1
9.369
6.951
6.956
1.825


1231
1.41
0
1.41
0
10.248
8.788
8.011
0.303


1232
2.49
0
0.68
1
10.362
8.528
7.975
0.495


1233
2.50
0
2.50
0
9.239
10.581
8.470
−0.784


1236
2.56
0
2.56
0
9.156
10.000
7.805
−0.608


1238
0.16
1
0.16
1
9.488
9.055
8.256
0.517


1239
2.24
0
2.24
0
8.886
8.978
7.838
0.564


1240
1.48
0
1.48
0
10.474
9.073
7.702
−0.288


1241
1.41
1
1.17
1
9.044
9.054
7.451
0.160


1251
2.72
0
2.72
0
8.410
8.687
7.082
0.549


1252
0.01
1
0.01
1
11.167
8.070
7.358
0.206


1255
5.17
0
5.17
0
9.501
9.411
7.887
−0.099


1271
4.72
0
4.73
0
10.718
8.452
7.060
−0.194


1272
5.68
0
5.68
0
9.161
9.080
7.668
0.231


1275
1.89
1
1.48
1
9.257
8.559
8.607
1.354


1277
5.06
0
5.07
0
11.091
9.938
8.274
−1.038


1279
4.87
0
4.87
0
9.309
10.085
9.676
0.504


1281
3.36
0
not available (n/a)
n/a
9.535
9.969
9.090
0.132


1284
3.51
0
3.51
0
10.922
9.680
8.481
−0.567


1288
1.54
0
n/a
n/a
9.430
8.896
8.037
0.554


1289
0.03
1
0.03
1
8.915
9.052
8.002
0.589


1290
5.23
0
5.23
0
10.432
10.426
8.154
−1.340


1291
0.04
1
0.04
1
11.319
8.246
7.323
−0.059


1292
0.10
1
0.10
1
8.667
8.764
8.110
1.058


1293
4.81
0
4.81
0
11.116
9.842
8.083
−1.081


1294
0.53
1
0.53
1
10.138
10.181
8.501
−0.733


1295
5.16
0
5.17
0
9.445
9.694
7.739
−0.463


1296
4.79
0
4.79
0
10.228
9.064
8.852
0.600


1297
4.24
0
4.24
0
9.524
7.990
7.008
0.740


1298
4.56
0
4.56
0
9.022
9.000
7.695
0.389


1331
3.29
0
3.29
0
11.004
9.488
8.289
−0.536


1334
2.87
0
2.87
0
11.434
9.509
8.109
−0.859


1335
1.38
1
0.90
1
9.586
8.545
7.423
0.431


1336
2.44
0
2.44
0
10.844
9.704
7.706
−1.082


1337
0.02
1
0.02
1
8.521
7.788
7.860
1.941


1449
1.62
0
1.62
0
9.604
8.463
8.030
0.917


1450
1.30
0
0.53
1
8.571
8.112
7.241
1.173


1451
1.84
0
1.85
0
10.637
9.205
7.759
−0.452


1453
1.71
0
1.71
0
10.964
9.089
8.226
−0.157


1454
0.62
0
0.62
0
11.106
8.514
7.604
−0.052


1553
2.93
0
1.92
1
8.975
9.284
7.475
−0.029


1612
5.37
0
5.37
0
10.526
9.471
7.809
−0.643


1613
5.81
0
n/a
n/a
10.868
9.695
7.730
−1.067


1614
4.36
1
4.36
1
10.358
9.226
8.765
0.322


1617
0.52
0
0.52
0
10.332
8.723
7.180
−0.227


1618
1.70
0
0.98
1
11.233
8.956
7.852
−0.387


1619
0.25
1
0.25
1
8.646
8.028
7.123
1.146


1620
2.17
0
2.17
0
11.647
8.385
7.343
−0.325


1623
2.80
0
2.80
0
9.611
9.484
8.249
0.024


1626
1.76
0
1.76
0
11.236
9.495
8.108
−0.763


1628
3.13
0
1.23
1
8.714
7.972
7.149
1.192


1645
2.85
0
2.85
0
10.146
9.476
8.914
0.258


1647
2.79
0
2.80
0
10.485
10.495
8.707
−1.058


1650
0.75
1
0.75
1
8.830
7.346
6.486
1.333


1651
1.66
0
1.66
0
9.190
7.949
6.829
0.801


1652
1.64
0
n/a
n/a
8.798
8.943
8.331
0.969


1702
1.05
0
1.05
1
9.008
8.217
8.078
1.447


1703
0.70
1
0.70
1
9.499
8.637
7.790
0.621


1704
3.14
0
3.14
0
9.908
9.231
7.503
−0.347


1705
3.94
0
3.94
0
8.933
8.445
8.187
1.321


1707
2.80
0
2.80
0
10.610
9.348
7.872
−0.510


1742
3.27
0
n/a
n/a
10.033
8.715
7.412
0.063


1746
1.91
0
1.55
1
9.249
8.705
8.205
0.937


1747
1.48
0
1.48
0
10.162
8.866
7.602
−0.016


1756
3.47
0
3.47
0
10.815
9.638
7.248
−1.312


1761
0.23
1
0.23
1
9.842
10.192
8.664
−0.511


1762
5.20
0
5.20
0
10.583
9.333
7.445
−0.772


1763
5.51
0
5.51
0
8.917
8.925
8.084
0.771


1766
1.59
0
1.59
0
10.919
10.037
8.389
−0.990


1782
1.09
0
1.09
0
10.753
9.600
8.332
−0.516


1788
0.39
1
0.24
1
10.364
8.738
8.914
0.915


1861
0.56
1
0.19
1
9.728
8.604
7.594
0.427


1867
1.17
1
0.38
1
8.903
11.501
10.559
−0.166


1916
1.41
0
n/a
n/a
9.295
11.197
11.508
0.619


1920
1.32
0
1.32
0
10.165
9.630
8.789
0.009


1927
1.53
0
1.53
0
9.195
10.261
9.791
0.451


1928
0.72
0
0.72
0
9.769
8.510
7.330
0.328


1939
0.47
1
0.47
1
9.097
9.363
7.647
−0.043


2002
1.29
0
1.30
0
9.469
9.542
8.600
0.262


2006
1.23
0
1.23
0
10.434
8.223
7.162
0.227


2067
2.18
0
2.18
0
10.244
11.186
9.391
−1.197


2070
0.31
0
0.12
1
10.486
10.680
10.353
−0.135


2162
0.38
1
0.38
1
10.934
10.020
7.960
−1.268


2270
1.59
0
1.59
0
10.117
9.904
8.506
−0.440


2271
1.60
0
1.60
0
8.995
9.349
8.261
0.428


2274
0.41
0
0.41
0
8.863
7.623
7.222
1.533


2283
1.19
0
1.19
0
10.501
8.361
6.741
−0.226


2291
0.87
1
0.85
1
10.732
10.184
9.436
−0.353


2299
0.93
0
0.93
0
10.661
9.905
8.189
−0.883


2301
0.61
0
0.61
0
9.852
9.903
8.352
−0.432


2306
0.68
0
0.68
0
8.586
8.759
8.191
1.151


2309
0.43
0
0.43
0
10.839
7.671
6.860
0.413


2311
0.80
0
0.80
0
10.901
7.797
6.912
0.294


2318
0.99
0
0.99
0
10.283
9.403
8.655
0.100


2321
0.82
0
0.82
0
9.691
8.956
7.404
−0.044


2411
0.67
0
0.67
0
8.986
8.383
7.854
1.137


2415
0.62
0
0.62
0
9.296
10.509
9.551
−0.005


2444
3.99
0
3.99
0
10.154
9.871
9.026
−0.071


2445
3.36
0
3.36
0
8.788
8.184
7.964
1.497


2479
0.51
0
0.51
0
11.151
9.023
8.199
−0.186


2482
4.54
0
4.54
0
10.373
9.847
8.208
−0.691


2483
3.89
1
3.89
1
9.241
8.902
7.742
0.428


2484
2.69
1
1.90
1
10.279
9.619
8.312
−0.349


2485
4.43
0
4.43
0
9.957
9.865
8.439
−0.378


2486
4.37
0
n/a
n/a
10.698
10.203
8.041
−1.301


2487
4.34
0
4.34
0
11.227
9.909
8.260
−1.076


2488
4.20
0
4.21
0
9.510
8.709
7.615
0.426


2490
4.02
0
4.02
0
10.510
10.961
8.956
−1.374


2491
0.50
1
0.25
1
9.047
8.554
7.624
0.784


2492
3.96
0
3.96
0
9.904
10.901
9.140
−0.935


2497
3.44
0
3.44
0
9.221
9.438
8.065
0.111


2498
3.37
0
3.37
0
9.318
9.427
8.003
0.040


2500
3.31
0
3.31
0
11.014
9.406
7.375
−1.074


2501
3.28
0
n/a
n/a
8.822
8.551
7.750
0.966


2503
2.99
0
2.99
0
8.301
7.967
6.929
1.222


2504
2.78
0
2.78
0
10.145
8.004
7.017
0.472


2505
2.76
0
2.76
0
11.036
8.442
7.136
−0.266


2507
0.86
1
0.54
1
9.737
9.475
8.988
0.480


2508
2.58
0
2.58
0
8.678
9.389
8.230
0.498


2509
0.96
1
0.76
1
8.895
10.441
9.088
−0.081


2511
1.55
1
1.06
1
9.225
9.267
9.191
1.042


2512
2.45
0
2.45
0
11.047
10.465
9.337
−0.838


2513
0.61
1
0.61
1
10.855
10.378
8.395
−1.305


2514
2.18
0
2.18
0
10.477
9.832
7.498
−1.198


2515
2.13
0
2.13
0
9.295
10.519
9.788
0.145


2516
2.07
0
2.07
0
10.575
10.592
8.642
−1.238


2517
2.04
0
0.76
1
9.385
9.163
8.328
0.498


2584
0.68
0
0.68
0
10.759
9.356
8.135
−0.404


2599
4.05
0
4.05
0
10.629
9.158
7.724
−0.425


2600
1.01
1
0.54
1
9.785
8.619
7.291
0.184


2601
1.22
1
0.88
1
9.385
8.044
7.178
0.859


2603
4.43
0
4.43
0
9.582
10.707
9.803
−0.156


2604
0.84
0
0.36
1
9.844
10.511
8.382
−1.026


2609
8.89
0
2.55
1
8.981
8.775
7.506
0.507


2610
0.74
0
0.74
0
10.793
8.964
7.421
−0.502


2611
0.66
0
0.66
0
10.353
10.233
9.032
−0.518


2612
1.17
1
1.13
1
10.290
9.028
8.287
0.230


2613
1.66
0
1.66
0
10.997
9.089
7.749
−0.493


2614
0.21
1
0.21
1
8.768
7.850
7.100
1.261


2615
0.48
0
0.48
0
11.359
9.470
7.647
−1.100


2639
10.29
0
10.30 
0
11.085
10.385
8.003
−1.674


2641
1.38
0
1.38
0
9.199
8.818
7.340
0.259


2642
3.67
0
3.67
0
10.731
8.777
7.167
−0.458


2643
5.49
0
5.49
0
10.236
10.578
8.473
−1.197


2645
0.19
0
n/a
n/a
11.130
9.997
8.254
−1.129


2646
0.18
1
0.18
1
8.893
7.648
6.871
1.260


2648
0.25
0
0.25
0
8.855
7.745
7.060
1.303


2649
2.13
0
2.13
0
9.688
10.354
9.885
0.214


2650
2.43
0
n/a
n/a
10.007
10.052
8.861
−0.305


2651
1.61
0
n/a
n/a
10.660
9.452
7.831
−0.665


2652
1.84
0
1.84
0
11.378
9.247
7.684
−0.856


2653
1.88
0
1.88
0
11.182
9.638
7.781
−1.106


2654
1.43
0
1.43
0
8.791
9.395
8.905
0.902


2813
3.97
0
3.97
0
10.701
9.366
8.258
−0.306


2814
0.81
1
0.70
1
10.561
9.176
9.275
0.632









The International Prognostic Index (IPI), which is based on 5 clinical variables, predicts survival in both CHOP-treated and R-CHOP-treated patients (Shipp et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 329:987-94 (1993); Sehn et al., Blood, 109: 1857-61 (2007)). The inventive gene expression-based survival model retained its prognostic significance among R-CHOP-treated patients segregated according to IPI into high, intermediate and low IPI risk groups, both as originally defined (Shipp et al., supra) (p<0.001) (FIG. 2C) and as recently modified for R-CHOP-treated DLBCL (Sehn et al., supra) (p<0.001) (FIG. 10).


The foregoing results indicate that the gene expression-based multivariate model can be used to identify large disparities in survival among patients with different DLBCL gene signature profiles. Thus, survival predictor scores were used to divide patients into least and most favorable quartile groups having 3-year progression-free survival rates of 33% and 84%, respectively. Given its statistical independence from the IPI, the gene expression-based survival predictor provides a complementary view of DLBCL variation that can be considered when analyzing data from DLBCL clinical trials. Additionally, the foregoing results indicate that whole-genome gene expression profiles in conjunction with the survival model described herein can be used to provide optimal predictions of expected survival outcomes for subjects suffering from DLBCL.


Example 3

This example demonstrates the use of a survival predictor score to predict the probability of progression free and overall survival outcomes at a period of time t following R-CHOP treatment in accordance with the invention.


RNA is isolated from a patient's DLBCL biopsy and hybridized to a U133+ array from Affymetrix (Santa Clara, Calif.). The array is scanned, and MAS 5.0 algorithm is applied to obtain signal values normalized to a target intensity of 500. Signal values are log 2 transformed to intensity values. For genes of interest with multiple probe sets, the intensity value of the multiple probe sets are averaged to obtain a single intensity value for each gene. The single intensity values of genes in the GCB signature are averaged to obtain a GCB signature average of 9.2. The single intensity values of genes in the stromal-1 signature are averaged to obtain a stromal-1 signature average of 8.5. The single intensity values of genes in the stromal-2 signature are averaged to obtain a stromal-2 signature average of 7.2.


The patient's survival predictor score is calculated using the following equation





8.11−[0.419*(GCB signature average)]−[1.015*(stromal-1 signature average)]+[0.675*(stromal-2 signature average)],such that the survival predictor score=8.11−[0.419*(9.2)]−[1.015*(8.5)]+[0.675*(7.2)]=0.389


Table 4 includes values from a progression free survival curve generated using baseline hazard functions calculated from the R-CHOP patient data described in Table 3. The curve was generated in accordance with the methods of Kalbfleisch and Prentice, Biometrika, 60: 267-279 (1973), which involves maximizing the full likelihood, under the assumption that the true scaling coefficients were equal to prior estimates. In Table 4, F0(t) is the probability of progression free survival for each indicated time period following R-CHOP treatment (t-RCHOP).












TABLE 4







t-RCHOP (years)
F0(t)



















0.000
1.000



0.008
0.997



0.016
0.993



0.025
0.990



0.030
0.987



0.036
0.983



0.049
0.980



0.082
0.977



0.096
0.973



0.107
0.970



0.118
0.967



0.120
0.963



0.156
0.960



0.156
0.956



0.159
0.953



0.178
0.950



0.192
0.946



0.211
0.943



0.233
0.939



0.241
0.936



0.246
0.932



0.252
0.928



0.290
0.925



0.298
0.921



0.307
0.918



0.364
0.914



0.381
0.910



0.381
0.907



0.400
0.903



0.441
0.899



0.446
0.895



0.463
0.891



0.468
0.887



0.515
0.884



0.517
0.880



0.531
0.876



0.534
0.872



0.537
0.868



0.537
0.864



0.539
0.860



0.561
0.856



0.586
0.852



0.611
0.848



0.679
0.843



0.698
0.839



0.698
0.834



0.720
0.830



0.747
0.826



0.756
0.821



0.761
0.816



0.767
0.812



0.786
0.807



0.849
0.803



0.879
0.798



0.884
0.793



0.898
0.789



0.912
0.784



0.977
0.779



0.986
0.774



1.046
0.770



1.057
0.765



1.076
0.760



1.128
0.755



1.166
0.750



1.216
0.745



1.227
0.740



1.270
0.735



1.481
0.729



1.547
0.724



1.624
0.718



1.900
0.711



1.919
0.705



2.105
0.699



2.231
0.692



2.245
0.685



2.352
0.678



2.546
0.671



2.968
0.662



3.890
0.648



4.364
0.623










The patient's probability of 2 year progression free survival is calculated using the equation: P(PFS)=F0(t)(exp(0.976*survival predictor score)), where F0(t) is the F0(t) value that corresponds to the largest time value smaller than 2 years in the progression free survival curve. In Table 4, the largest time value smaller than 2 is 1.919, and the corresponding PF0(t) value is 0.705. Accordingly, the patient's probability of 2 year progression free survival P(PFS)=0.705(exp(0.976*survival predictor score))=0.7051.462=0.600 or about 60%.


Table 5 includes values from an overall survival curve generated using baseline hazard functions calculated from the R-CHOP patient data described in Table 3. The curve was made according to the method of Kalbfleisch and Prentice, Biometrika, 60: 267-279 (1973), which involves maximizing the full likelihood, under the assumption that the true scaling coefficients were equal to our estimates. In Table 5, OS0(t) is the probability of overall survival for each indicated time period following R-CHOP treatment (t-RCHOP).












TABLE 5







t-RCHOP (years)
OS0(t)



















0.000
1.000



0.008
0.997



0.016
0.994



0.030
0.991



0.033
0.988



0.036
0.984



0.049
0.981



0.082
0.978



0.096
0.975



0.156
0.972



0.156
0.969



0.159
0.965



0.178
0.962



0.192
0.959



0.211
0.956



0.233
0.952



0.246
0.949



0.307
0.946



0.367
0.942



0.380
0.939



0.386
0.935



0.402
0.932



0.416
0.928



0.463
0.925



0.468
0.921



0.504
0.918



0.515
0.914



0.517
0.910



0.531
0.907



0.556
0.903



0.586
0.900



0.610
0.896



0.619
0.892



0.698
0.888



0.747
0.885



0.807
0.881



0.862
0.877



0.868
0.873



0.873
0.869



0.895
0.864



0.944
0.860



0.963
0.856



1.010
0.852



1.057
0.848



1.169
0.843



1.169
0.839



1.215
0.835



1.262
0.830



1.273
0.826



1.382
0.821



1.412
0.817



1.492
0.812



1.527
0.807



1.552
0.802



1.708
0.796



1.889
0.791



2.244
0.784



2.693
0.777



3.826
0.763



3.889
0.749



4.363
0.724










The patient's probability of 2 year overall survival is calculated using the equation: P(OS)=OS0(t)(exp(survival predictor score)), where OS0(t) is the value that corresponds to the largest time value in the overall survival curve which is smaller than 2 years. In Table 5, the largest time value smaller than 2 is 1.889, and the corresponding OS0(t) value is 0.791. Accordingly, the patient's probability of 2 year overall survival is P(PFS)=0.791(exp(0.389))=0.7911.4476=0.707 or 70.7%.


Example 4

This example demonstrates the biological basis for DLBCL prognostic signatures.


Unless otherwise indicated, cohorts and methods of gene expression analysis are described in Examples 1 and 2. Furthermore, cell suspensions from three biopsies were separated by flow cytometry into a CD19+ malignant subpopulation and a CD19− non-malignant subpopulation. Gene expression profiling was performed following two rounds of linear amplification from total RNA (Dave et al., N. Engl. J. Med., 351: 2159-69 (2004)). After MAS5.0 normalization, genes were selected that had a log 2 signal value greater than 7 in either the CD19+ or CD19− fractions in at least two of the sorted samples.


To assess whether the gene expression signatures in the final survival model of Example 2 were derived from the malignant lymphoma cells or from the host microenvironment, three DLBCL biopsy samples were fractionated into CD19+ malignant cells and CD19− non-malignant cells by flow sorting. Most germinal center B cell signature genes were more highly expressed in the malignant fraction, whereas genes from the stromal-1 and stromal-2 signatures were more highly expressed in the non-malignant stromal fraction (FIG. 4A), hence their name. Since these two signatures were synergistic in predicting survival, they were combined into a “stromal score” (FIG. 3), high values of which were associated with adverse outcome.


The germinal center B cell signature relates to the distinction between the ABC and GCB DLBCL subtypes (FIG. 3). By contrast, the genes defining the stromal-1 signature encodes components of the extracellular matrix, including fibronectin, osteonectin, various collagen and laminin isoforms, and the anti-angiogenic factor thrombospondin (FIG. 3 and Table 1). This signature also encodes modifiers of collagen synthesis (LOXL1, SERPINH1), proteins that remodel the extracellular matrix (MMP2, MMP9, MMP14, PLAU, TIMP2), and CTGF, a secreted protein that can initiate fibrotic responses (Frazier et al., J. Invest. Dermatol., 107(3): 404-11 (1996)). In addition, the stromal-1 signature includes genes characteristically expressed in cells of the monocytic lineage, such as CEBPA and CSF2RA.


The stromal-1 signature is significantly related to several previously curated gene expression signatures (Shaffer et al., Immunol. Rev., 210: 67-85 (2006)) based on gene set enrichment analysis (Subramanian et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 102(43): 15545-50 (2005)). Two of these signatures include genes that are coordinately expressed in normal mesenchymal tissues but not in hematopoietic subsets, many of which encode extracellular matrix proteins (false discovery rate (FDR)<0.001) (FIGS. 4B and 11) (Su et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. USA, 101: 6062-7 (2004)). Also enriched was a “monocyte” signature, comprised of genes that are more highly expressed in CD14+ blood monocytes than in B cells, T cells, or NK cells (FDR=0.014) (FIG. 4B). By contrast, a pan-T cell signature was not related to the stromal-1 signature (FIG. 4B). These findings suggest that high expression of the stromal-1 signature identifies tumors with vigorous extracellular matrix deposition and infiltration by cells in the monocytic lineage.


In this regard, the stromal-1 signature gene product fibronectin was prominently localized by immunohistochemistry to fibrous strands running between the malignant cells in DLBCL biopsy samples, in keeping with its role in extracellular matrix formation. By contrast, the protein products of three other stromal-1 genes—MMP9, SPARC, and CTGF—were localized primarily in histiocytic cells that infiltrated the DLBCL biopsies. By immunofluorescence, SPARC and CTGF colocalized with CD68, which is a marker for cells in the monocytic lineage. As expected for a stromal-1 gene product, SPARC protein levels were associated with favorable overall survival (FIG. 5A).


The stromal-1 signature includes genes that are coordinately expressed in many normal mesenchymal tissues, most of which encode proteins that form or modify the extracellular matrix. The localization of fibronectin to fibrous strands insinuated between the malignant lymphoma cells suggests that the stromal-1 signature reflects the fibrotic nature of many DLBCL tumors. This fibrotic reaction may be related to another stromal-1 signature component, CTGF, which participates in many fibrotic responses and diseases, and promotes tumor growth and metastasis of epithelial cancers (Shi-Wen et al., Cytokine Growth Factor Rev., 19: 133-44 (2008)).


The foregoing results also indicate that the stromal-1 signature reflects a monocyte-rich host reaction to the lymphoma that is associated with the abundant deposition of extracellular matrix. Tumors with high expression of the stromal-1 signature were infiltrated by cells of the myeloid lineage, which include cells that have been implicated in the pathogenesis of epithelial cancers, including tumor-associated macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and Tie2-expressing monocytes (reviewed in Wels et al., Genes Dev., 22: 559-74 (2008)). In animal models, these myeloid lineage cells promote tumor cell invasion by secreting matrix metalloproteinases such as MMP9, suppress T cell immune responses, and initiate angiogenesis.


Several stromal-2 signature genes encode well-known markers of endothelial cells. These include von-Willebrand factor (VWF) and CD31 (PECAMI), as well as other genes specifically expressed in endothelium such as EGFL7, MMRN2, GPR116, and SPARCL (Table 1). This signature also includes genes encoding key regulators of angiogenesis, such as, for example, KDR (VEGF receptor-2); Grb10, which mediates KDR signaling; integrin alpha 9, which enhances VEGF signaling; TEK, the receptor tyrosine kinase for the cytokine angiopoietin; ROBO4, an endothelial-specific molecular guidance molecule that regulates angiogenesis; and ERG, a transcription factor required for endothelial tube formation. The stromal-2 signature genes CAV1, CAV2, and EHD2 encode components of caveolae, which are specialized plasma membrane structures that are abundant in endothelial cells and required for angiogenesis (Frank et al., Arterioscler. Thromb. Vasc. Biol., 23: 1161-8 (2003); Woodman et al., Am. J. Pathol., 162: 2059-68 (2003)). Although the stromal-2 signature includes a large number of genes expressed in endothelial cells, other genes are expressed exclusively in adipocytes, including ADIPOQ, FABP4, RBP4, and PLIN.


Quantitative tests were done to determine whether expression of the stromal-2 signature relative to the stromal-1 signature (i.e., high stromal score) is related to high tumor blood vessel density, given the connection between many stromal-2 signature genes and angiogenesis. More specifically, the stromal-1 signature averages were subtracted from the stromal-2 signature average to thereby obtain a stromal score for each biopsy. Tests showed a quantitative measure of blood vessel density correlated significantly with the stromal score (r=0.483, p=0.019) (see FIGS. 5B and 5C), such that higher blood vessel densities correlated with higher stromal scores.


Thus, the stromal-1 and stromal-2 gene expression signatures reflect the character of the non-malignant cells in DLBCL tumors, and the stromal-2 signature may represent an “angiogenic switch” in which the progression of a hyperplastic lesion to a fully malignant tumor is accompanied by new blood vessel formation (Hanahan et al., Cell, 86: 353-64 (1996)). DLBCL tumors with high relative expression of the stomal-2 signature were associated with increased tumor blood vessel density and adverse survival. Significant macrophage infiltration in some DLBCL tumors may predispose to angiogenesis since, in experimental models, tumor-associated macrophages accumulate prior to the angiogenic switch and are required for the switch to occur (Lin et al., Cancer Res., 66: 11238-46 (2006)). Additionally, CXCL12 (SDF-1), a stromal-2 signature component, is a chemokine secreted either by fibroblasts or endothelial cells that can promote angiogenesis by recruiting CXCR4+ endothelial precursor cells from the bone marrow (Orimo et al., Cell, 121: 335-48 (2005)). Moreover, an antagonist of angiogenesis, thrombospondin-2 (Kazerounian et al., Cell Mol. Life Sci., 65: 700-12 (2008)), is a stromal-1 signature component, which may explain why tumors with low relative expression of this signature had an elevated blood vessel density. Furthermore, the expression of adipocyte-associated genes in DLBCL tumors with high stromal-2 signature expression may play a role in angiogenesis since some cells in adipose tissue may have the potential to differentiate into endothelial cells (Planat-Benard et al., Circulation, 109: 656-63 (2004)). Alternatively, the expression of adipose-associated genes may reflect the recruitment of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, which home efficiently to tumors (Karnoub et al., Nature, 449: 557-63 (2007)) and can stabilize newly formed blood vessels (Au et al., Blood, 111: 4551-4558 (2008)).


The foregoing results indicate that the stromal-1 and stromal-2 gene signatures can be used to generate a stromal score that correlates with increased blood vessel density. Thus, the stromal score can be used to determine if a DLBCL patient is likely to benefit from administration of antiangiogenic therapy (alone, or in conjunction with another DLBCL therapeutic regimen).


All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.


The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.


Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims
  • 1.-17. (canceled)
  • 18. A method of evaluating a subject for antiangiogenic therapy of DLBCL, which method comprises: a) isolating gene expression product from one or more DLBCL biopsy samples from a subject;b) obtaining a gene expression profile from the gene expression product, wherein the profile includes an expression level for each gene in a stromal-2 signature;c) determining the subject's stromal-2 signature value from the gene expression profile; andd) determining whether the subject's stromal-2 signature value is higher or lower than a standard stromal-2 value, wherein antiangiogenic therapy is indicated by a stromal-2 signature value that is higher than the standard stromal-2 value and antiangiogenic therapy is not indicated by a stromal-2 signature value that is not higher than the standard stromal-2 value.
  • 19.-32. (canceled)
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/059,678, filed on Jun. 6, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
61059678 Jun 2008 US
Continuations (2)
Number Date Country
Parent 14540302 Nov 2014 US
Child 15965510 US
Parent 12996489 Feb 2011 US
Child 14540302 US