Penny Towne

Title: The Innovative Contributions of Penny Towne

Introduction

Penny Towne is a notable inventor based in Tucson, AZ, who has made significant contributions to the field of medical research. With a total of 7 patents to her name, she has focused her work on identifying treatment-responsive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) as a marker. Her innovative methods have the potential to improve treatment outcomes for patients diagnosed with this challenging form of cancer.

Latest Patents

Among her latest patents is a method for identifying subjects with NSCLC that are likely to respond to treatment with an ALK inhibitor, such as crizotinib. This method involves identifying a sample containing NSCLC tumor cells as either ALK-positive or ALK-negative through immunohistochemistry (IHC) and scoring methods. If a sample is identified as ALK-positive, the subject is predicted to respond to treatment with an ALK inhibitor. Conversely, if the sample is identified as ALK-negative, the subject is deemed unlikely to respond to such treatment. This innovative approach has the potential to guide personalized treatment strategies for patients.

Career Highlights

Penny Towne is currently employed at Ventana Medical Systems, Inc., where she continues to advance her research in cancer treatment. Her work has garnered attention for its practical applications in improving patient care and treatment efficacy.

Collaborations

Penny collaborates with esteemed colleagues, including Michael S. Barnes and June F. Clements, who contribute to her research efforts and enhance the impact of her innovations.

Conclusion

Penny Towne's contributions to the field of cancer research exemplify the importance of innovation in medical science. Her work not only advances our understanding of NSCLC but also paves the way for more effective treatment options for patients.