Treating Squamous Cell Cancer Using Beta-Catenin Splice Variants

Background:
The National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize a method of treating cancer using technology that modulates the levels of beta-Catenin splice variants. Detection of such splice variants has also been shown at the proof-of-concept level to function as a diagnostic tool, useful for monitoring treatment progress and also potentially valuable as a prognostic indicator. For such utility, an additional abstract on this application is available.

Technology:
One group of inventions relates to an early detection diagnostic as well as prognostic and patient monitoring methods, especially for esophageal squamous cell cancers (ESCC) or other types of adenocarcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

Other methodologies in development include employing small interfering RNA molecules (siRNAs) as a means to alter the expression of one or more of particular CTNNB1 transcripts 16A and/or 16B. These siRNA molecules may be single-stranded (ss) or double-stranded (ds).

IP Status:
PCT application filed 10 Feb 2006 and published as WO 2006/086772

Value Proposition-Solution:

• May be delivered using a construct capable of producing the siRNA molecule upon delivery to the target cell.
• Access to a broad range of cell samples representing a continuum from normal to pre-neoplastic to invasive tissues.

R&D Status:

• Therapeutic: Early patient data is found in the article in Genes Chromosomes & Cancer.
• Therapeutic use of siRNA: Pre-clinical.

Further R&D Needed: 
Drug discovery based on developing an understanding of pathways and application of siRNA/Beta-catenin mechanisms to therapeutic agents.

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

Reference:  #542 LH

Updated on 10/17/2007