Synergistic Combination Agent (Ceramide and Vinca Alkaloids) for Cancer Therapy
Posted Jun 02 2011 8:00pm
Description of Invention: Work by the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL), a joint initiative of NCI, NIST, and the FDA, has led to the discovery of a novel combination chemotherapy. This combination is shown to have synergistic effects on cytotoxicity to cancer cells in vitro, and to cause a substantial decrease in tumor growth in preclinical tumor models in vivo. Combination therapy using these agents may enhance the response rate of different cancers to these drugs and may significantly reduce side effects by permitting a lower therapeutic dose to be administered.
The instant invention relates to a novel combination of ceramide and vinca alkaloids, which synergistically decrease cancer cell growth without increasing the toxicity profile compared to the individual drugs. The drug combination has been rigorously evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo models of cancer, and a dose range-finding toxicology study has been conducted in rodents.
This combination induces cell death via a novel mechanism (induction of autophagy with simultaneous blockade of autophagy flux). This mechanism appears to impart selectivity of the therapy to cancer cells.
Available for licensing are methods to use the combination therapy for cancer treatment.
Applications: Cancer treatment, especially for cancers sensitive to treatment with vinca alkaloids such as breast cancer, testicular cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and non-small cell lung cancer.
Advantages: Vinca alkaloids alone at therapeutic doses produce the standard side effects of cancer chemotherapy. The vinca alkaloid - ceramide combination can be administered at lower doses with comparable efficacy and may allow for more frequent dosing (metronomic dosing). The novel mechanism of action of this combination appears to be selective to cancer cells.
Development Status: The drug combination has been evaluated in both human hepatocarcinoma models (in vitro cell culture assays) and human colon cancer models (in vivo mouse xenografts). Additional in vivo studies with other cancer types and early stage preclinical toxicology studies are being planned.
Inventors: Stephan T Stern (NCI) Scott E McNeil (NCI) Pavan P Adiseshaiah (NCI)
Licensing Status: Available for licensing or partnering for further development.
Collaborative Research Opportunity: The SAIC Frederick, Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize a ceramide and vinca alkaloid combination therapy for treatment of cancer. Please contact John Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
For Licensing Information Please Contact: Betty Tong Ph.D. NIH Office of Technology Transfer 6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325, Rockville, MD 20852 United States Email: tongb@mail.nih.gov Phone: 301-594-6565 Fax: 301-402-0220
Description of Invention:
Work by the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL), a joint initiative of NCI, NIST, and the FDA, has led to the discovery of a novel combination chemotherapy. This combination is shown to have synergistic effects on cytotoxicity to cancer cells in vitro, and to cause a substantial decrease in tumor growth in preclinical tumor models in vivo. Combination therapy using these agents may enhance the response rate of different cancers to these drugs and may significantly reduce side effects by permitting a lower therapeutic dose to be administered.
The instant invention relates to a novel combination of ceramide and vinca alkaloids, which synergistically decrease cancer cell growth without increasing the toxicity profile compared to the individual drugs. The drug combination has been rigorously evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo models of cancer, and a dose range-finding toxicology study has been conducted in rodents.
This combination induces cell death via a novel mechanism (induction of autophagy with simultaneous blockade of autophagy flux). This mechanism appears to impart selectivity of the therapy to cancer cells.
Available for licensing are methods to use the combination therapy for cancer treatment.
Applications:
Cancer treatment, especially for cancers sensitive to treatment with vinca alkaloids such as breast cancer, testicular cancer, head and neck cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and non-small cell lung cancer.
Advantages:
Vinca alkaloids alone at therapeutic doses produce the standard side effects of cancer chemotherapy. The vinca alkaloid - ceramide combination can be administered at lower doses with comparable efficacy and may allow for more frequent dosing (metronomic dosing). The novel mechanism of action of this combination appears to be selective to cancer cells.
Development Status:
The drug combination has been evaluated in both human hepatocarcinoma models (in vitro cell culture assays) and human colon cancer models (in vivo mouse xenografts). Additional in vivo studies with other cancer types and early stage preclinical toxicology studies are being planned.
Inventors:
Stephan T Stern (NCI)
Scott E McNeil (NCI)
Pavan P Adiseshaiah (NCI)
Patent Status:
HHS, Reference No. E-007-2011/0
US, Application No. 61/451,925 filed 11 Mar 2011
Licensing Status:
Available for licensing or partnering for further development.
Collaborative Research Opportunity:
The SAIC Frederick, Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize a ceramide and vinca alkaloid combination therapy for treatment of cancer. Please contact John Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.
For Licensing Information Please Contact:
Betty Tong Ph.D.
NIH Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Blvd. Suite 325,
Rockville, MD 20852
United States
Email: tongb@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-594-6565
Fax: 301-402-0220
Ref No: 2262
Updated: 06/2011