Rare Diseases >> Abstract Details   Multimeric Protein Toxins to Target Cells Having Multiple Identifying Characteristics Description of Invention: This technology relates to multimeric bacterial protein toxins which can be used to specifically target cells. Specifically, this is a modified recombinant anthrax toxin protective antigen (PrAg) that has been modified in several ways. First, the PrAg can be activated both by a metalloproteinase (MMP) and by urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Second, the native PrAg lethal factor (LF) binding site has been modified so that only a modified PrAg comprising two different monomers can bind anthrax LF. When administered with an effector component, the recombinant anthrax toxins are toxic only to cells expressing both a MMP and uPA on their surface. This technology is therefore useful for selective methods of treating cancers, because many cancer cells express multiple cell-surface proteases. Inventors: Stephen Leppla (NIAID) Shi-hui Liu (NIAID) Thomas Bugge (NIDCR) Patent Status: DHHS Reference No. E-059-2004/0 -- U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/543,417 filed 09 Feb 2004 PCT Application No. PCT/US2005/04216 filed 09 Feb 2005, which published as WO 2005/090393 on 29 Sep 2005 U.S. Patent Application No. 11/055,557 filed 09 Feb 2005 Portfolios: Cancer Cancer -Diagnostics-In Vivo-MAb Cancer -Therapeutics-Immunoconjugates-Mab Cancer -Therapeutics-Immunoconjugates-Toxins Cancer -Diagnostics Cancer -Therapeutics For Additional Information Please Contact: David A. Lambertson Ph.D. NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325 Rockville, MD 20852-3804 Phone: (301)435-4632 Email: lambertsond@mail.nih.gov Fax: (301) 402-0220 Web Ref: 996 Last Updated On: 10/04