Integrin avß6 Binding Peptide for Imaging and Tumour Targeting
Validation
Peptides which potently and selectively bind to the integrin ανβ6 have been developed. The structural motif required for binding has been elucidated, and the consensus sequence is protected by a patent application. The peptides have utility for targeting tumours in which the integrin is over-expressed (including oral, pancreatic, ovarian, lung, colorectal and breast). The peptides have applications in tumour imaging as well as in cancer therapy via targeting of payloads and functional inhibition of ανβ6. The ability of radiolabelled versions of the peptide to selectively localise to ανβ6-expressing tumours in vivo has been demonstrated by PET and SPECT.
Contact: Dr Laura Fletcher, lfletcher@CancerTechnology.com
 Further details can be accessed here
RKIP: A Marker of Colorectal Cancer Metastatic Potential
Validation
There is an urgent need to develop prognostic markers that can identify the 30-60% of Dukes B and C colorectal cancer patients that suffer tumour recurrence. Raf-1 kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) has been identified as an independent marker of increased risk of tumour relapse. Survival data demonstrate that level of RKIP expression in primary CRC’s is significantly and inversely associated with metastatic disease. Patent application, data and proprietary antibodies are available for collaborative development or licensing.
Contact: Dr Phil Masterson, pmasterson@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
Lamin A/C: A Prognostic Marker for Early Colorectal Cancer
Discovery
Expression of the nuclear lamins A/C has been identified as an independent marker of increased risk of tumour relapse in colorectal cancer patients. Cox hazard ratio scoring of immunohistochemical data from >650 independent CRC tumour samples scoring indicates that patients expressing lamin A/C are twice as likely to suffer CRC-related death compared to patients lacking the biomarker. Kits based on prognostic biomarkers such as Lamin A/C aid the identification of the 30-60% of Dukes B & C colorectal cancer patients that suffer tumour recurrence and guide decisions on treatment strategy. A patent, proprietary monoclonal antibodies and data, are available for licensing.
Contact: Dr Laura Fletcher, lfletcher@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
MCM Proteins – Early Stage Diagnostic Cancer Biomarkers
Validation
MCM or minichromosome maintenance family proteins are essential for the initiation of DNA replication. Data is now available to demonstrate that antibodies against MCMs enable the ready identification of malignant and pre-malignant cells in a variety of samples, including cervical smears, anal smears, oral smears, sputum (for lung cancer), urine and stool samples. Diagnostic products based on antibodies targeting MCM proteins are currently being developed for cervical and bladder cancer with commercial partners. CRT are now looking for a commercial partner to develop MCM based diagnostic tests for other cancer indications. Granted patents (US, EP and JP) relating to the target antigen are available for licensing.
Contact: Dr Adrian Ibrahim, aibrahim@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here for Anal Cancer
Further details can be accessed here for Colorectal Cancer
Further details can be accessed here for Oral Cancer
MCM Proteins – Diagnostic Markers for Lung Cancer
Validation
Over 1.3 million people worldwide are diagnosed with lung cancer each year. CRT’s technology offers a rapid, high throughput and cost effective approach for the diagnosis of lung cancer based on MCM detection in sputum. A study of 597 patients has revealed that combining sputum MCM immunocytochemistry testing with chest X-ray provides improved first line diagnosis of lung cancer over using each test alone. The combined test has a specificity of 78%, with improved sensitivity (71%) and negative predictive value (NPV) (85%) over using each test alone. This simplified diagnostic approach has the potential to significantly decrease the number of patients requiring follow-on diagnostic testing and removes the requirement for a highly skilled cytopathologist at initial diagnosis. CRT is looking for a partner to develop a MCM sputum-based diagnostic test under a licence to granted patents on the target antigen and MCM specific antibodies.
Contact: Dr Maria Makri, mmakri@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here for Lung Cancer
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms that Predict Colorectal Cancer Risk
Discovery
A panel of SNPs was discovered through genome wide association studies (GWAS) designed to identify low penetrance genetic changes that may be indicative of an increased risk of colorectal cancer. This led to recent publications describing the identification of the first common genetic variants for CRC predisposition including at the HMPS/CRAC locus on 15q13 and the SMAD7 gene on 18q21. CRT holds a patent portfolio protecting these and a number of other SNPs that predict increased colorectal cancer risk. The portfolio is available for non-exclusive licensing. Development of risk-profiling tests based on these SNPs, and their application in improved population screening programmes may result in better screening for cancer in those most at risk.
Contact: Dr Laura Fletcher, lfletcher@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
SNAIL: A Prognostic Marker for Epithelial Cancers
Discovery
Expression of SNAIL has been associated with invasion, metastasis and poor clinical outcome in a range of epithelial cancers and may therefore be a useful biomarker for guiding therapeutic strategy and disease monitoring. An extensive body of literature provides evidence of the association of nuclear SNAIL staining with breast, ovarian, colon, prostate, thyroid, adrenocortical, squamous cell and hepatocarcinoma. A patent portfolio (including granted patents in US and Europe) and proprietary antibodies provide an opportunity to develop SNAIL as an independent prognostic marker for various indications and are available for licensing and/or collaborative development.
Contact: Dr Ruth Nebauer, rnebauer@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
Prostate Cancer Susceptibility Loci and SNPs
Discovery
Although there is a clear familial risk associated with prostate cancer only a few susceptibility genes have been identified so far. Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) have now been used in many diseases to identify disease related loci and when sufficiently powered such studies can also identify low penetrance disease associated genes and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Diagnostics based on panels of such genes/polymorphisms may be able to identify high risk individuals for whom increased clinical monitoring may be justified. This technology is based on the identification of seven independently significant SNPs found to be associated with prostate cancer and a number of them are linked to genes that may play functional roles in prostate cancer. The seven SNPs are the subject of a recently filed patent application and are likely to be of value in evaluating prostate cancer risk.
Contact: Dr Angus Lauder, alauder@CancerTechnology.com
Further details can be accessed here
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