compositions and methods for inhibiting sonic hedgehog activity

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer in men and women in the United States. Lung cancer can be divided into two distinct classes, non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). While constitutive Hedgehog signaling has been demonstrated in SCLC, this class represents only 20% of all lung cancers.



Dartmouth researchers have now found that the Hedgehog pathway is constitutively active in a subset of NSCLC. Moreover, it has been found that overexpression of Gli1 leads to resistance to Hedgehog pathway antagonists. Small molecule inhibitors of the Hedgehog pathway have also been identified for decreasing proliferation of tumor cells which is dependent upon the Hedgehog pathway. Therefore, elevated levels of a component of the Hedgehog pathway can be used in the diagnosis of NSCLC and Hedgehog pathway components can also serve as targets for the prevention and treatment of cancers in which tumor cell proliferation is dependent upon the Hedgehog pathway.



This technology is claimed in a pending patent application. We are seeking an industrial partner interested in its commercialization.

(Ref: J314)

Type of Offer: Licensing



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