CLEC9A: A Novel Dendritic Cell Antibody Target
In Vivo Proof-of-Principle
Dendritic cell NK lectin Group Receptor-1 (DNGR-1) is a c-type lectin with expression profile that is highly restricted to a subset of dendritic cells that are known to be highly efficient at MHC class I cross-presentation of foreign and self antigens. In vivo administration of anti-DNGR1 antibody conjugated tumour antigens elicit strong antigen specific cytotoxic T-cell response resulting in potent anti-tumour response in both prophylactic and therapeutic setting. CRT is seeking a commercial partner for further development of this technology for anti-cancer and infectious disease vaccines.
Contact: Dr Raj Mehta, rmehta@CancerTechnology.com
 Further details can be accessed here
Boosting Antibody Response (New)
In Vitro Proof-of-Principle
This patented platform technology enables generation of potent antibody response to antigen of choice without the requirement of CD4 T cell help. The circumvention of Th cell requirement enables faster and more potent Antibody response to the antigen(s) of choice. In addition, this also allows generation of antibody response to antigens without the need for MHC class II epitopes. The technology relies on enlisting either Galcer/iNKT cell or B cell resident TLRs (or both) for specifically activating only the B cells presenting the antigen cognate B cell Receptor. Faster and more potent antibody response can be utilised for generation of more efficient vaccines and generation of monoclonal antibodies to antigens that do not contain any MHC class II epitopes.
Contact: Dr Raj Mehta, rmehta@CancerTechnology.com
Novel Tumour Endothelial Markers (New)
Target Validation
Genes specifically expressed in tumour endothelial cells have been identified using an in silico approach. On-going expression and functional analysis indicates that they are potentially good antibody and/or small molecule targets for development of anti-angiogenic/vascular targeting therapeutics.
Contact: Dr Raj Mehta, rmehta@CancerTechnology.com
Oligosaccharides as Inhibitors of Angiogenesis
In Vitro Proof-of-Principle
Heparan sulfate and heparin play a central role in a large number of processes including angiogenesis, anti-coagulation, cell growth and migration. Short oligosaccharides which block angiogenesis through inhibition of heparin sulphate-dependent growth factor signalling have been discovered. Efficacy has been demonstrated in vivo with partially-purified preparations and in vitro with synthetic oligosaccharides. Optimisation of the oligosaccharides is ongoing. A scalable synthesis route has been developed and optimised. CRT is now seeking a commercial partner to progress this programme under a licensing or co-development model.
Contact: Dr Martyn Bottomley, mbottomley@CancerTechnology.com
Migration Stimulating Factor (MSF)
CRT Development Laboratories Project
In Vitro Proof-of-Principle
MSF is a potent motogenic and angiogenic factor. It can be expressed by the three principal cell types found in common human tumours (carcinoma, fibroblast and endothelial). These cells are responsive to MSF in terms of the stimulation of cell migration/invasion, hyaluronan synthesis and angiogenesis. In collaboration with investigators at the University of Dundee, CRT’s Discovery Laboratories (CRTDL) have undertaken pre-clinical studies which have validated MSF as an anti-angiogenic target and highlighted the promising cancer therapeutic potential of inhibiting MSF using a function-neutralising monoclonal antibody. Additionally, accurate measurement of MSF levels in the serum (ELISA) and/or tissue samples (IHC) from cancer patients may afford a means of improving cancer diagnosis and prognosis.
Contact: Dr Tanya Moore, tmoore@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
Validation of CCR4 and CCL17/22 as Solid Tumour Targets
Target Validation
A target validation programme is underway to provide in vivo proof of concept for inhibition of the chemokine receptor CCR4 or its ligands CCL17/22 in the treatment of certain solid tumours where these proteins have been found to be overexpressed and functionally active on tumour cells as well as the immune cell infiltrate. CRT have filed a patent with claims to the use of CCR4 and its ligands as biomarkers for diagnosis and stratification, as well as target claims to CCL17/22, which may be suited to intervention using antibodies. CRT is seeking a co-development partner for a therapeutic antibody programme.
Contact: Dr Laura Fletcher, lfletcher@CancerTechnology.com
Leptin Antagonists as Cancer Therapeutics
In Vivo Proof-of-Principle
Antagonistic peptides derived from leptin, which effectively inhibit the leptin receptor have been developed. There is significant literature support for a role for leptin signalling in driving cancer development. This includes conclusive evidence of overexpression in tumours, the ability of leptin to drive cancer cell proliferation and promote angiogenesis, and in vivo genetic models showing a requirement for leptin signalling for tumour development. Consistent with this, the current peptides demonstrate anti-tumour effects in both in vitro and in vivo tumour models. Further optimisation studies are ongoing with the aim of rapidly generating a clinical candidate.
Contact: Dr Angus Lauder, alauder@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
PASD1: Proprietary Tumour Specific Antigen
In Vivo Proof-of-Principle
PASD1 is a novel tumour specific cancer testis antigen. It’s wide expression profile in a variety of haematological malignancies and solid tumours (including melanoma, lung, head and neck and colorectal carcinoma), combined with the proven immunogenicity of PASD1 peptides, make it an attractive candidate for cancer vaccine development. CRT and Isis Innovation are seeking a commercial partner for further development of PASD1-based immunotherapy.
Also available for direct licensing.
Contact: Dr Maria Makri, mmakri@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
MUC1: Naked DNA Cancer Vaccine
In Vivo Proof-of-Principle
Recent results of clinical trials with MUC1-based agents have attracted considerable interest in MUC1 as potential target antigen for immunotherapy of breast, pancreas, ovarian and other cancers. Studies using a proprietary human MUC1 transgenic mouse have shown that MUC1-based naked DNA immunotherapy elicits an anti-tumour response. An exclusive license to CRT’s MUC1 patent portfolio in the field of naked DNA based therapy and non-exclusive rights to the huMUC1 transgenic mouse model are available.
Contact: Dr Raj Mehta, rmehta@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
CEA Antibodies
Clinical Phase I
MFE-23 is a single chain Fv antibody that has high affinity for the tumour specific antigen CEA. Successful preclinical and clinical studies support its potential for use in targeted cancer therapies and as an imaging agent. These include Phase I studies of radiolabelled MFE-23 for use as an imaging agent, for radioimmunoguided surgery and as the tumour-targeting moiety of an antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy. A Phase I study of autologous T cell therapy is in progress. Humanised MFE-23 and higher affinity variants are also available.
Contact: Dr Theo Balasas, tbalasas@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
Therapeutic HPV Vaccine
Clinical Phase II
TA-CIN, a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, has been developed for the prevention and/or treatment of HPV-related diseases including vulval, anal and cervical intraepithelial neoplasias and cervical cancer. TA-CIN is a subunit vaccine comprising L2/E6/E7 proteins from HPV16, designed to generate a strong cellular immune response against HPV-infected cells. A Phase I study showed that TA-CIN is tolerated and immunogenic. In a subsequent Phase II prime boost clinical trial, TA-CIN in combination with the TA-HPV vaccine proved safe and well-tolerated, and some clear clinical responses were demonstrated.
Contact: Dr Theo Balasas, tbalasas@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
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