Stimulation of Natural Killer T-cell Anti-tumor Activity
Posted Oct 26 2010 8:00pm
Description of Invention: Natural killer T cells (NKT) are a unique lymphocyte population that has T-cell and NK cell functional properties in order to rapidly elicit an immune response. alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) is a potent NKT stimulator and induces of IFN-gamma release to promote immunity against tumors and infectious agents. Humans have natural antibodies against alpha-galactose, which may be one of the reasons why the human clinical trials of alpha-GalCer or KRN7000 were not very successful.
Investigators at the National Cancer Institute have found that beta-mannosylceramide (beta-ManCer) promotes immunity in an IFN-gamma independent mechanism. beta-ManCer is a new class of NKT agonist that induces immune responses alone, through nitric oxide and TNF-alpha-dependent mechanisms, or synergistically with alpha-GalCer to enhance alpha-GalCer’s efficacy. Since beta-ManCer does not have alpha-galactose, which can be neutralized by natural antibodies, patients could be treated with multiple doses without negative side effects associated with the loss of IFN-gamma production. Hence, beta-ManCer is a promising anti-cancer treatment either alone or in combinatorial therapies with alpha-GalCer to selectively induce immune responses.
Applications:
Cancer therapeutics
Potent stimulator of NKT activity
Advantages:
Induces tumor immunity through a novel mechanism
Decreased possibility of neutralization by natural antibodies
Synergize with alpha-GalCer
Development Status: The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The Vaccine Branch of the National Cancer Institute is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize beta-ManCer. Please contact John Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. Click here to view the NCI collaborative opportunity announcement.
Portfolios: Cancer 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:
Natural killer T cells (NKT) are a unique lymphocyte population that has T-cell and NK cell functional properties in order to rapidly elicit an immune response. alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer) is a potent NKT stimulator and induces of IFN-gamma release to promote immunity against tumors and infectious agents. Humans have natural antibodies against alpha-galactose, which may be one of the reasons why the human clinical trials of alpha-GalCer or KRN7000 were not very successful.
Investigators at the National Cancer Institute have found that beta-mannosylceramide (beta-ManCer) promotes immunity in an IFN-gamma independent mechanism. beta-ManCer is a new class of NKT agonist that induces immune responses alone, through nitric oxide and TNF-alpha-dependent mechanisms, or synergistically with alpha-GalCer to enhance alpha-GalCer’s efficacy. Since beta-ManCer does not have alpha-galactose, which can be neutralized by natural antibodies, patients could be treated with multiple doses without negative side effects associated with the loss of IFN-gamma production. Hence, beta-ManCer is a promising anti-cancer treatment either alone or in combinatorial therapies with alpha-GalCer to selectively induce immune responses.
Applications:
Advantages:
Development Status:
The technology is currently in the pre-clinical stage of development.
Inventors:
Masaki Terabe (NCI)
Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-034-2010/0
US, Application No. 61/313,508 filed 12 Mar 2010
Licensing Status:
Available for licensing.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The Vaccine Branch of the National Cancer Institute is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize beta-ManCer. Please contact John Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. Click here to view the NCI collaborative opportunity announcement.
Portfolios:
Cancer
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: 2183
Updated: 10/2010