Novel Gene Therapy Target for Cancer and Proliferative Retinopathies (BIDMC 1264)

Category:    Therapeutics - Drugs

KeyWords:  Cancer;  Drug Target;  Method;  

BIDMC ID:    1264

Abstract:

*Response Gene to Complement 32 (RGC-32) induction as a treatment for angiogenesis-related cancers and retinopathies* Use of anti-VEGF agents for the treatment of certain cancers and for the management of neovascular age-related macular degeneration has been a major breakthrough in these fields. However, shortcomings of the current drugs, such as short half-life, limited effectiveness in some patients and potential systemic side effects, continue to drive the search for new drug targets. Investigators at BIDMC have identified RGC-32 as a novel therapeutic target for treatment of neovascular-related disorders. Induced by hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and VEGF, RGC-32 was surprisingly found to possess anti-angiogenic properties which are mediated by downregulation of fibroblast growth factor 2 and cyclin E.

Inventor:   Lead: Jian Li, MD, PhD

Commercial Opportunity:

**Market: Cancer/Retinopathy **Indication: (1) Angiogenesis-related Solid tumors such as breast cancer (2) Diabetic retinopathy (3) Macular Degeneration **Product: Gene Therapy **Use: Therapeutic to overexpress RGC-32

Competitive Advantages:

Proof-of-principle of the efficacy of gene therapy for the treatment of eye diseases has recently been demonstrated in animal models and humans. Trends in Molecular Medicine (2008) 15: 23-31.

Related Publications:

An et al., Circulation (2009) 120: 617-627.

State of Development:

In-vitro and In-vivo proof-of-concept demonstrated where RGC-32 overexpression by adenoviral transfection:

(1) reduced the proliferation & migration of cultured human endothelial cells;
(2) destabilized vascular structure formation in vitro; and
(3)  reduced growth of blood vessels correlating with reduced tumor size in a xenograft rat tumor model & in Matrigel assays

Related Technology URL:

Patent Status:

* US Patent Pending * Flexible licensing options available

TVO Contact Info:
     Catherine M Lenich
     Senior Associate TVO
     clenich@bidmc.harvard.edu
     Phone: 617-667-0568   Fax: 617-667-0646

     Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
     Technology Ventures Office  Room: BR-0200
     330 Brookline Avenue
     Boston, MA 02215