William Pao

Title: William Pao: Inventor in Cancer Diagnostics

Introduction

William Pao is an inventor associated with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY. His patent work includes methods for detecting drug-resistant mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which can help assess whether a cancer may resist certain targeted therapies. His listed portfolio includes 2 patents.

Latest Patents

One of Pao’s listed inventions, “Methods and Compositions for Detecting a Drug Resistant EGFR Mutant,” concerns identifying an EGFR mutation associated with resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. The invention describes polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers designed to detect the EGFR C-to-T mutation at the position corresponding to base 2369 of EGFR cDNA. This mutation encodes a threonine-to-methionine substitution at position 790 of the EGFR protein.

The patent also describes methods and kits for detecting the mutant sequence in a sample. By identifying the mutant T while distinguishing it from the wild-type C, these approaches can help predict resistance to gefitinib or erlotinib in people with, or suspected of having, cancer.

Career Highlights

Pao’s patent activity reflects work at the intersection of molecular diagnostics and cancer treatment. The described methods focus on detecting genetic changes that may affect how a patient responds to targeted therapies.

Collaborations

Pao’s listed coworkers include Katerina Politi and Harold E. Varmus. The patent information provided connects his work with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

Conclusion

William Pao’s patent work addresses the detection of drug-resistant EGFR mutations and the potential use of those findings to inform predictions about responses to cancer therapies.