Potent Inhibitory RNAs for Non-Surgical Treatment of Salivary Gland Cancers
Posted Sep 28 2011 8:00pm
Description of Invention: In the U.S., approximately 40,000 cases of head and neck cancer, including salivary gland tumors, are diagnosed each year. Surgery with post-operative radiotherapy is the most common treatment for salivary gland tumors. However, complete removal is difficult due to the three-dimensional growth pattern of these tumors which impedes a surgeon’s ability to determine once the tumor has been fully removed. Both surgeons and patients desire minimal surgical approaches for cosmetic reasons, as well as to preserve nerve function in the facial area. Thus a significant need exists for non-surgical approaches to treating salivary gland tumors.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, have discovered that mucoepidermoid (MEC) salivary gland tumors arise from a chromosomal rearrangement which generates a fusion oncogene, Mect1-Maml2, that functions to alter Notch and CREB signaling pathways. An RNAi vector has been developed that selectively suppresses the oncogene and inhibits growth of certain MEC tumor cell lines containing the oncogene by at least 90%. The RNAi vector has no effect on cells that do not express the oncogene. This ability of the RNAi vectors to block the "gain-of-function" activity of the acquired Mect1-Maml2 oncogene suggests new possibilities for the diagnosis and therapy of these cancers.
Applications:
Diagnosis of MEC salivary gland tumors
Treatment of MEC salivary gland tumors
Advantages:
Non-surgical
Selective
Potent
Can be used in combination with other known treatments, such as radiation and chemotherapy
For Licensing Information Please Contact: Patrick McCue Ph.D. NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325, Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: McCuepat@mail.nih.gov Phone: 301-496-7057 Fax: 301-402-0220
Description of Invention:
In the U.S., approximately 40,000 cases of head and neck cancer, including salivary gland tumors, are diagnosed each year. Surgery with post-operative radiotherapy is the most common treatment for salivary gland tumors. However, complete removal is difficult due to the three-dimensional growth pattern of these tumors which impedes a surgeon’s ability to determine once the tumor has been fully removed. Both surgeons and patients desire minimal surgical approaches for cosmetic reasons, as well as to preserve nerve function in the facial area. Thus a significant need exists for non-surgical approaches to treating salivary gland tumors.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute, NIH, have discovered that mucoepidermoid (MEC) salivary gland tumors arise from a chromosomal rearrangement which generates a fusion oncogene, Mect1-Maml2, that functions to alter Notch and CREB signaling pathways. An RNAi vector has been developed that selectively suppresses the oncogene and inhibits growth of certain MEC tumor cell lines containing the oncogene by at least 90%. The RNAi vector has no effect on cells that do not express the oncogene. This ability of the RNAi vectors to block the "gain-of-function" activity of the acquired Mect1-Maml2 oncogene suggests new possibilities for the diagnosis and therapy of these cancers.
Applications:
Advantages:
Development Status:
Inventors:
Frederic J Kaye (NCI)
Takefumi Komiya (NCI)
Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-086-2003/0
US, , Patent No. 7,553,822, Issued 30 Jun 2009
US, Application No. 12/493,901 filed 29 Jun 2009
Relevant Publication:
For Licensing Information Please Contact:
Patrick McCue Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: McCuepat@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-496-7057
Fax: 301-402-0220
Ref No: 2327
Updated: 09/2011