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Novel Agent to Promote Lung Development and Treat Lung Disease

Background:
The National Cancer Institute's Laboratory of Metabolism is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize a novel lung-enriched cytokine-like molecule as a clinical tool to treat and/or prevent lung diseases.

Technology:
Secretoglobin family 3A member 2 (SCGB3A2) is a member of the Secretoglobin gene superfamily of secretory proteins that is normally expressed in the epithelial cells of the trachea, bronchus, and bronchioles, and is known for its anti-inflammatory activity.

NIH scientists have recently discovered that SCGB3A2 has surprising cell proliferation and anti-apoptotic activity which make it a suitable agent for the treatment of lung disease and promotion of lung development. SCGB3A2 administration ex vivo and in vivo was shown to enhance cell proliferation and branching morphogenesis. These results indicate that SCGB3A2 may be an attractive candidate for therapeutic use in the treatment of several lung diseases that involve tissue injury or inflammation, such as, pulmonary fibrosis, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema and cancer. Additionally, SCGB3A2 therapy is envisioned for use as a lung development agent in premature newborn infants born with underdeveloped lungs.

Data also exists which suggests that SCGB3A2 has the potential to inhibit the lung damage that results from treatment with certain anti-cancer agents such as bleomycin. The protein was shown to suppress or repair bleomycin induced DNA damage/fibrosis when given before, or together with bleomycin treatment in in vitro organ culture, and in an in vivo mouse model of pulmonary fibrosis.

Further R&D Needed:
  • Evaluate the effect of SCGB3A2 on the development of emphysema in a smoking model mouse
  • Evaluate the effect of SCGB3A2 on lung maturation using pregnant larger animals
  • Evaluate the effect of SCGB3A2 on the development and/or severity of lung damage resulting from treatment with various anti-cancer agents in larger animals.
R&D Status: Ex vivo and in vivo mouse studies conducted.

IP Status:
  • U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/847,747 filed 27 Sep 2006
  • PCT Application No. PCT/US2007/079771 filed 27 Sep 2007
Value Proposition Solution:
  • A novel growth factor and anti-apoptotic agent that has the potential to promote lung development and treat and prevent numerous lung diseases, including pneumonia, asthma, emphysema and cancer
  • Ability to promote lung development in premature newborn infants born with underdeveloped lungs
  • Potential to inhibit lung damage resulting from treatment with various anti-cancer agents

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

Reference:  #668 LS

Posted 05/08/2008

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Page Last Updated: 12-17-2008