Inhibitors of Human Methionine Aminopeptidase 1 As Novel Anticancer Drug Leads

JHU researchers have unraveled an important function of human type 1 aminopeptidase (hMetAP1) in the timely progression of cells through mitosis. In addition, a new structural class of isoform specific inhibitors of hMetAP1 has been discovered that induces a significant delay in mitosis (>3 hrs) and further, to cause death in leukemia cell lines. This discovery suggests that inhibition of hMetAP1 alone may be sufficient to inhibit tumor growth. Description (Set) Proposed Use (Set) Approximately 35,000 new cases of leukemia will be diagnosed in the U.S. in 2006. Although the survival rates from leukemia have drastically improved in recent decades among the general population, this disease still causes more deaths than any other cancer among children under age 20. This technology highlights a novel pathway that could lead to the development of leukemia therapeutics as well as other types of cancer.

Inventor(s): Liu, Jun

Type of Offer: Licensing



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