Cancer Inhibitors Isolated from an African Plant
Background:
The National Cancer Institute's
Molecular Targets Development Program is seeking statements of
interest from parties interested in collaborative research to
further develop, evaluate, or commercialize cancer inhibitors
isolated from the African plant Phyllanthus englerii. The
technology is also available for exclusive or non-exclusive
licensing.
Technology:
This invention involves compounds
extracted from the African plant Phyllanthus englerii that
have potential cancer-inhibiting activity. Bioassay-guided
fractionation of the purified extracts revealed a series of novel
chemical entities which are named Englerin A-F. The englerins and
their derivatives are useful in the treatment of a number of
cancers, particularly renal cancer. The englerins exhibit selective
and potent renal cell inhibitory activity in vitro.
These compounds can be recovered in reasonable yield from natural
product extracts and are well suited for synthetic chemistry
derivativization. A sufficient supply of several analogs was
extracted for identification and initial biological
characterization. A National Cancer Institute NCI60 anti-cancer
screening program confirmed renal-selective
activity.
Further R&D
Needed:
- Assess toxicity of the compounds in mice and other experimental
animals
- Studies to determine if therapeutic blood levels of the
compound can be obtained.
- Conduct animal studies to establish efficacy against
tumors.
R&D Status:
Proof of concept
in vitro studies completed;
in vivo
animal model studies are ongoing.
IP Status:
U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/018,938 filed 04 Jan 2008
Value Proposition:
- Ability to develop therapeutics for renal and other types of
cancer
- Reasonable yield and recovery of the compounds from the natural
product extracts
- Tractable synthetic chemistry schemes for synthesis of these
compounds
Contact
Information:
John D. Hewes, Ph.D., NCI
Technology Transfer Center
Phone: 301-435-3121
E-mail: Hewesj@mail.nih.gov
Reference: #637 MC
Posted 03/20/2008