Mouse Model of Human Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract (Set) Cancers of the head and neck, the majority of which arise in the squamous cells that line the mucosal surfaces in the head and neck, account for 3% of all malignancies in the United States. Human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is a clinically aggressive tumor, and fewer than 50% of head and neck cancer patients survive beyond 5 years. Mouse models make essential contributions to our understanding of the cause, prevention and treatment of cancer. This invention provides a mouse model for studying the development, progression, and treatment of head and neck cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma. To determine the consequences of chronic reduction of gamma-secretase, Johns Hopkins University researchers created a mouse with targeted disruption (knockout) of the Nicastrin gene (one of the four components of gamma-secretase). Mice lacking one allele of Nicastrin (Nct+/- mice) develop spontaneous skin lesions resembling human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. These lesions progress to invasive squamous cell carcinoma in approximately 50% of the Nct+/- mice. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) The Nct+/- mouse is an animal model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. It may be used to test therapies for the treatment and prevention of human head and neck cancer, and to study the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma and related cancers.

Inventor(s): Wong, Philip ,Li, Tong,Price, Donald

Type of Offer: Licensing



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