Gene Therapy of Cancer Using a Transmembrane IL-2 Construct
Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a cytokine protein necessary for production of immune cells that are involved in recognition of aberrant or malignant cells and eradication of tumors. It has been hoped that IL-2 might play a central role in cancer immunotherapy�battling cancer by revving up the immune system. Unfortunately, IL-2 can only be tolerated in small doses by the body. In dose escalation studies, patients treated with high doses of IL-2 showed clinical responses, although severe toxicity exemplified by widespread edema and other problems due to blood vessel leakiness were seen. Dr. Samlowski and colleagues have developed a method to target IL-2 specifically to tumor cells to decrease its systemic toxicity. The invention provides an approach to gene therapy using a novel fusion gene consisting of cytokines plus a transmembrane domain. The goal is to cause intratumoral expression of activating cytokines resulting in enhanced activation of cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes within tumors.Benefits
Interleukin 2 (IL-2) is a cytokine protein necessary for production of immune cells that are involved in recognition of aberrant or malignant cells and eradication of tumors. It has been hoped that IL-2 might play a central role in cancer immunotherapy�battling cancer by revving up the immune system. Unfortunately, IL-2 can only be tolerated in small doses by the body. In dose escalation studies, patients treated with high doses of IL-2 showed clinical responses, although severe toxicity exemplified by widespread edema and other problems due to blood vessel leakiness were seen. Dr. Samlowski and colleagues have developed a method to target IL-2 specifically to tumor cells to decrease its systemic toxicity. The invention provides an approach to gene therapy using a novel fusion gene consisting of cytokines plus a transmembrane domain. The goal is to cause intratumoral expression of activating cytokines resulting in enhanced activation of cytotoxic tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes within tumors.
Stage of Development
A formal patent application has been filed with the PCT and was subsequently nationalized to the U.S., Canada. Europe and Australia. Publication number: WO 04/080404 A2
This technology is part of an active and ongoing research program that has been demonstrated to work in proof-of-concept experiments which includes a working prototype that has been validated in animal experiments. It is available for developmental research support and licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.
Additional Info
*http://www.bioscience.utah.edu/mb/mbFaculty/samlowski/samlowski.html
Inventor(s): Christopher Cochella, Kurt Albertine, Patricia Goede, Jason Lauman
Type of Offer: Licensing
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