Target-Specific Activatable Optical Probes for In Vivo Imaging
Description of Invention:
Available for licensing and commercial development is an optical imaging method capable of detecting living cancer cells in vivo. The method increases sensitivity and reduces the background signal to extremely low levels. In contrast to conventional fluorescent imaging, the strategy activates the probe after it binds to and is internalized within cancer cells. Using antibodies, reagent-receptor systems, or cytokines to target the agent to the cancer, the agent is internalized by the normal cellular process of endocytosis which in turn, leads to molecular changes within the probe itself; fluorophores are activated only in the living targeted cells.
An activatable fluorophore is one that is normally self-quenched by attachment to a peptide backbone but which can be activated by specific proteases which degrade the peptide resulting in “de-quenching.” For example, self-quenching avidin-rhodaminex, which has affinity for lectin on cancer cells, is activated after endocytosis and degradation within the lysosome. Cellular internalization of receptor-ligand pairs with subsequent activation of fluorescence via “de-quenching” provides a generalizable and highly sensitive method of detecting cancer microfoci in vivo and has practical implications for assisting surgical and endoscopic procedures.
Applications:
Optical detection of tumor cells and metastatic nodules
Photodynamic treatment of tumors
Market:
Cancer Imaging
Development Status:
Early-stage technology with pre-clinical mouse models as of 18 July 2006
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-255-2006/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/818,134 filed 30 Jun 30 2006
Licensing Status: Available for exclusive or non-exclusive licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The NCI Molecular Imaging Program is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize target specific activatable optical probes. Please contact Hisataka Kobayashi or Peter Choyke at 301-451-4220 or e-mail Dr. Choyke at pchoyke@nih.gov for more information.
Portfolios: Devices/Instrumentation Cancer
Cancer -Diagnostics-In Vivo-Conjugate Chemistry Devices/Instrumentation-Diagnostics-Imaging-Methods Devices/Instrumentation-Diagnostics-Imaging-Other Cancer -Diagnostics Devices/Instrumentation-Diagnostics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Cristina Thalhammer-Reyero PhD MBA
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-4507
Email: thalhamc@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
