Human Monoclonal Antibody Against Mesothelin
Background:
The National Cancer Institute's
Nanobiology Program is seeking statements of capability or interest
from parties interested in collaborative research to further
develop, evaluate, or commercialize human antibodies that act
against mesothelin.
NIH inventors have demonstrated in pre-clinical experiments an
anti-mesothelin antibody of human origin that is an attractive
alternative to the murine anti-mesothelin antibodies currently
available. The antibody has the ability to efficiently recognize
mesothelin on the surface of cells, and induce antibody-dependent
cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) in mesothelin-positive
cells.
Technology:
Mesothelin is a cell surface
protein that is naturally expressed at very low levels, but that is
significantly increased in aggressive tumors such as mesotheliomas,
and pancreatic and ovarian tumors. Therefore, mesothelin is an
excellent candidate for tumor-targeted immunotherapeutics. However,
the only antibodies against mesothelin that are currently available
for clinical trials are of murine origin. The use of these
antibodies may be limited by their potential to elicit adverse
immune responses in patients with repeated doses.
The anti-mesothelin antibody has potential use as a cancer
therapeutic and diagnostic for mesotheliomas, and pancreatic and
ovarian tumors, and for diagnosis and monitoring of
mesothelin-positive tumors. Additionally, the antibody may be used
as a research agent for the detection of mesothelin. Because this
antibody is fully human, the probability for immune responses and
side effects is lower than that of murine, chimeric, and humanized
antibodies.
R&D Status:
This antibody was converted to an IgG1 format. It binds to cells
expressing mesothelin and mediate ADCC in vitro. Studies in animal
models are being planned.
Further R&D
Needed:
- Develop a cell line for large scale production and test it in
animal models of cancer
- Conjugate antibody with various cancer drugs and drug-loaded
nanoliposomes for targeted delivery
- Reformat antibody as a nanoantibody for better penetration in
solid tumors
- Perform combination tests with antibodies that have been
approved for treatment
IP Status:
U.S. Provisional Application filed 27 Mar 2008
Value Proposition:
Currently there is a chimeric mesothelin antibody in phase I trial.
Our mesothelin antibody is fully-human and with high affinity. May
have reduced immunogenicity, thereby allowing repeated dosing
Contact
Information:
John D. Hewes, Ph.D., NCI
Technology Transfer Center
Phone: 301-435-3121
E-mail: Hewesj@mail.nih.gov
Reference: #653 JH
Posted 04/28/2008
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