37
Novel Tumor Selective Internalizing Antiboies
University of California, San Francisco
Antibody
Oncology
Pre-Clinical
Scientists at the University of California, San Francisco have developed a set of human monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize a cell surface antigen highly expressed in mesothelioma and other cancers, as well as cancers that undergo epithelia to mesenchymal transition (EMT).
The antigen is a hallmark specifically expressed by mesothelioma and all subtypes of mesothelioma but not by normal mesothelium. The new antibodies have the potential to guide immunotherapies with greater accuracy against mesothelioma or other cancers expressing the target antigen.
Additionally, the novel antibodies are able to block tumor cell invasion, indicating application for inhibition of tumor function such as invasion or self-renewal. Furthermore, the inventors showed that the target antigen is preferentially expressed by tumor-associated blood vessels, thus exhibiting potential as an anti-angiogenic therapy.
The antibodies and antigen have been evaluated in nude mice models using available devices and measurement methods. This technology can be rapidly incorporated into clinical trial.