Identification of a Cell-surface Receptor for Papillomaviruses
Description of Invention:
Human papillomavirus (HPV) are the central cause of genital warts and most cervical cancers, which kills about 200,000 women globally each year. 20 million Americans acquire genital HPV infections annually. Prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines under development will likely afford strain-specific protection, precluding comprehensive immunity. In contrast, the instant invention identifies the cellular receptor that may be broadly utilized by papillomaviruses to gain entry into the cells. It further teaches developing molecular decoys for the virus to bind to, thereby preventing infection. The cell surface exposed domain of the receptor is soluble, biologically stable and is therefore suited for different delivery strategies including topical application. It may also be used for screening potential anti-HPV compounds. It can be produced by genetic engineering methods and may therefore lend itself to production in large amounts at a reasonable cost.
Inventors:
Douglas R. Lowy (NCI) Patricia Day (NCI) John T. Schiller (NCI)
Patent Status:
DHHS Reference No. E-179-01/0 filed 1 May 2001
For Additional Information Please Contact: Sally Hu PhD MBA
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852-3804
Phone: (301) 435-5606
Email: hus@mail.nih.gov
Fax: (301) 402-0220
