Description of Invention: Investigators at the NIH have discovered an Anti-TNF Induced Apoptosis (ATIA) protein, which protects cells against apoptosis. ATIA is highly expressed in glioblastoma and astrocytomas and its inhibition results in increased cell sensitivity to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand induced cell death. Hence, ATIA assays may enable clinicians to effectively stratify patients for appropriate treatment. ATIA exists in a soluble form that can be detected in culture medium of ATIA expressing cells indicating it could be used to develop a non-invasive, blood based diagnostic test such as an ELISA. Glioblastomas and astrocytomas can be diagnosed via MRI and CT scans; however, these scans cannot detect tumor type, i.e. glioblastoma vs. medulloblastoma. The investigators found that ATIA is induced in cells under hypoxia conditions. More importantly, knockdown of ATIA in human glioblastoma cells renders cells to apoptosis under hypoxia conditions. Therefore, ATIA is a potential novel therapeutic target for treating human glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma arise from astrocytes, cells that provide neurons structural and metabolic support. Glioblastomas account for twenty percent of primary brain tumors and fifty percent of astrocytomas. These indications are designated as rare diseases as there is an annual 2-3 newly diagnosed cases of glioblastoma per 100,000 people in the United States whereas the astrocytoma incidence rate is 1.22 cases per 100,000 for individuals aged 0-19 years in the United States.
Applications:
Blood based diagnostic assays
Assay for clinicians to choose effective treatments
Therapy to treat human glioblastoma
Advantages:
Non-invasive diagnostics
Easy, ready to use assays
Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The National Cancer Institute, Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize this technology. Please contact John Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
Portfolios: Cancer Cancer - Diagnostics Cancer - Therapeutics Cancer - Other
For Licensing Information Please Contact: Jennifer Wong NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325, Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: wongje@mail.nih.gov Phone: 301-435-4633 Fax: 301-402-0220
Description of Invention:
Investigators at the NIH have discovered an Anti-TNF Induced Apoptosis (ATIA) protein, which protects cells against apoptosis. ATIA is highly expressed in glioblastoma and astrocytomas and its inhibition results in increased cell sensitivity to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand induced cell death. Hence, ATIA assays may enable clinicians to effectively stratify patients for appropriate treatment. ATIA exists in a soluble form that can be detected in culture medium of ATIA expressing cells indicating it could be used to develop a non-invasive, blood based diagnostic test such as an ELISA. Glioblastomas and astrocytomas can be diagnosed via MRI and CT scans; however, these scans cannot detect tumor type, i.e. glioblastoma vs. medulloblastoma. The investigators found that ATIA is induced in cells under hypoxia conditions. More importantly, knockdown of ATIA in human glioblastoma cells renders cells to apoptosis under hypoxia conditions. Therefore, ATIA is a potential novel therapeutic target for treating human glioblastoma.
Glioblastoma arise from astrocytes, cells that provide neurons structural and metabolic support. Glioblastomas account for twenty percent of primary brain tumors and fifty percent of astrocytomas. These indications are designated as rare diseases as there is an annual 2-3 newly diagnosed cases of glioblastoma per 100,000 people in the United States whereas the astrocytoma incidence rate is 1.22 cases per 100,000 for individuals aged 0-19 years in the United States.
Applications:
Advantages:
Development Status:
The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Inventors:
Zhenggang Liu (NCI)
Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-178-2009/0
PCT, Application No. PCT/US2010/36394 filed 27 May 2010
Licensing Status:
Available for licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The National Cancer Institute, Cell and Cancer Biology Branch, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize this technology. Please contact John Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
Portfolios:
Cancer
Cancer - Diagnostics
Cancer - Therapeutics
Cancer - Other
For Licensing Information Please Contact:
Jennifer Wong
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: wongje@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-4633
Fax: 301-402-0220
Ref No: 2144
Updated: 08/2010