Treating Squamous Cell Cancer Using Beta-Catenin Splice Variants
Background:
The National Cancer Institute,
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics is seeking statements
of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative
research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize a method of
treating cancer using technology that modulates the levels of
beta-Catenin splice variants. Detection of such splice variants has
also been shown at the proof-of-concept level to function as a
diagnostic tool, useful for monitoring treatment progress and also
potentially valuable as a prognostic indicator. For such utility,
an additional abstract on this application is
available.
Technology:
One group of inventions relates
to an early detection diagnostic as well as prognostic and patient
monitoring methods, especially for esophageal squamous cell cancers
(ESCC) or other types of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell
carcinomas.
Other methodologies in development include employing small
interfering RNA molecules (siRNAs) as a means to alter the
expression of one or more of particular CTNNB1 transcripts 16A
and/or 16B. These siRNA molecules may be single-stranded (ss) or
double-stranded (ds).
IP Status:
PCT
application filed 10 Feb 2006 and published as WO 2006/086772
Value
Proposition-Solution:
- May be delivered using a construct capable of producing the
siRNA molecule upon delivery to the target cell.
- Access to a broad range of cell samples representing a
continuum from normal to pre-neoplastic to invasive tissues.
R&D Status:
- Therapeutic: Early patient data is found in the article in
Genes Chromosomes & Cancer.
- Therapeutic use of siRNA: Pre-clinical.
Further R&D
Needed:
Drug discovery based on developing an understanding of pathways and
application of siRNA/Beta-catenin mechanisms to therapeutic
agents.
Contact
Information:
John D. Hewes, Ph.D., NCI
Technology Transfer Center
Phone: 301-435-3121
E-mail: Hewesj@mail.nih.gov
Reference: #542 LH
Updated on 10/17/2007