Potential Therapeutic Agents for the Treatment of Metastatic Cancer

Summary of Technology:
The NIH Surgery Branch seeks a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) research partner to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize cancer therapeutics. 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 expressed by human cancers, gp100. 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.

Potential Benefits and Application Areas:

• New mouse TCRs have been identified that recognize human gp100.
• Superior biological function compared to their human counterpart in recognizing gp100 when expressed in human lymphocytes.
• Potential therapeutic agents in the treatment of patients with metastatic cancers, especially melanomas.

Current State of Development:
Pre-clinical work has been completed and clinical studies are forthcoming.

Patent Status and Relevant Publications:

• RA Morgan et al. Cancer regression in patients after transfer of genetically engineered lymphocytes. Science. 2006 Oct 6;314(5796):126-129. [PubMed abs]
• U.S. Provisional Application filed 12 Jan 2007
• U.S. Provisional Application filed 19 Jan 2007

Contact Information:
John D. Hewes, Ph.D., NCI Technology Transfer Center
Phone: 301-435-3121
E-mail: Hewesj@mail.nih.gov

Reference:  #589 EL

Posted 12/06/2007