Anti-neoplastic Agents as Cancer Therapy or Dermatologic Agents

Background:
The National Cancer Institute's Structural Biophysics Laboratory is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize anti-neoplastic agents based on peptide and peptidomimetic inhibitors of Smoothened Protein (SMO).

Technology:
This new technology is directed towards several synthetic peptides corresponding to a specific region of the SMO protein. In vitro experiments demonstrate that they potently suppress the growth of cancer cells and inhibit the expression of the HH/PTCH pathway genes. The compounds have a novel mechanism of hedgehog (HH) pathway inhibition and inhibit growth of melanoma cells with IC50 in sub-nanomolar range. The compounds are stable in human and mouse plasma. They also can be easily formulated for topical creams for skin disorders, for example, psoriasis.

IP Status:
U.S. Provisional Application filed Oct. 31, 2006.

Value Proposition:

• Further development of novel HH inhibitors is very likely to generate new therapeutic and chemo-preventive agents for many types of malignancies, including prostate, pancreas, stomach, breast, skin and small cell lung cancers;
• Novel compounds that inhibit HH/PTCH pathway;
• Skin-permeable compounds can be formulated into topical creams for treatment of psoriasis and treatment and prevention and of basal cell carcinomas and other types of skin cancers.

Development Status:
Pre-clinical

Further R& D Required:

• PK/PD studies
• In vivo studies in mouse models

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

Reference:  #432 KH

Updated 10/25/2007