Inhibition of Retroviral LTR Promoters by Calcium Response Modifiers

Description of Invention:
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) LTR is synergistically activated by the phorbol ester 12-myristic 13-acetate (PMA) and T cell specific mitogenic lectin phytohemagglutinin A (PHA). This reflects the activation of the HIV LTR by endogenous T cell mechanisms in vitro. A class of non-voltage-gated calcium influx inhibitor compounds is disclosed which is newly discovered to inhibit the activation of retroviral LTR promoters, including HIV-LTR, by PHA and PMA. This class of compounds can be used to delay or suppress the transition of HIV infection from a latent to a virulent condition, thereby preventing or ameliorating retroviral diseases such as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). The compounds are also useful in cancer treatment, allowing for coordinated therapeutic approaches to retroviral disease and related cancers such Kaposi's Sarcoma. The compounds can also be used to standardize in vitro assays of commercial importance for clinical and experimental application.

Inventors:
Elise C Kohn (NCI)
Kevin Gardner (NCI)
Lance A Liotta (NCI)


Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-216-1994/0
US, , Patent No. 6,057,346, Issued 02 May 2000
HHS, Reference No. E-216-1994/0
PCT, Application No. PCT/US95/15850 filed 06 Dec 1995



Portfolios:
Cancer
Cancer - Therapeutics
Cancer - Research Materials
Infectious Diseases
Infectious Diseases - Therapeutics
Infectious Diseases - Research Materials
In-vitro Data



For Additional Information Please Contact:
Sally Hu Ph.D., M.B.A.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325 Room 21,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: hus@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-5606
Fax: 301-402-0220


Ref No: 344

Updated: 06/2010