New Mouse T Cell Receptors as Potential Therapeutic Agents for the Treatment of Metastatic Cancer
Description of Invention:
Adoptive immunotherapy is one of the most promising new therapeutic approaches to treat cancer.
T cell receptors (TCR) are the proteins responsible for the T cell's ability to recognize infected or transformed cells. A TCR consists of two domains, one variable domain that recognizes the antigen and one constant region that helps the TCR anchor to the membrane and transmit the recognition signal by interacting with other proteins.
This invention describes the identification of two mouse TCRs that target a common and highly expressed melanoma antigen, gp100, expressed by human cancers. These TCRs, have superior (100-1000 times) biological function compared to other human tumor-specific TCR that are currently in use in experimental trials using genetically engineered T cells. Therefore, these new TCRs represent potential therapeutic agents that can be used in the treatment of metastatic cancers, especially melanomas.
Applications:
New mouse TCRs have been identified that recognize human gp100.
The mouse TCRs have 100-1000 times superior biological function compared to their human counterpart in recognizing gp100 when expressed in human lymphocytes.
Human T cells genetically engineered to express new TCRs can serve as potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of patients with metastatic cancers.
Clinical trials with these novel TCRs are currently being planned.
Development Status:
Pre-clinical work has been completed and clinical studies are forthcoming.
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-059-2007/0 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/884,732 filed 12 Jan 2007
DHHS Reference No. E-059-2007/1 --
U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/885,724 filed 19 Jan 2007
Relevant Publication:
A manuscript relating to this invention is under preparation and will be available once accepted.
RA Morgan et al. Cancer regression in patients after transfer of genetically engineered lymphocytes. Science. 2006 Oct 6;314(5796):126-129. [PubMed abs]
Licensing Status:
This technology is available for licensing under an exclusive or non-exclusive patent license.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The Surgery Branch, NCI, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize this T cell receptor that is specific for human tumors. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
Portfolios: Cancer
Cancer -Therapeutics-Immunomodulators and Immunostimulants Cancer -Therapeutics
For Additional Information Please Contact: Michelle A. Booden Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301)451-7337
Email: boodenm@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
