Siah-1 as a Drug Target for Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapeutics

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. The American Cancer Society estimates that 56,730 people will die from colorectal cancer in 2004. Sporadic colon polyps and carcinomas carry mutations in the Wnt signaling pathway, which is responsible for degradation of �-catenin. Increased �-catenin promotes cell proliferation and transformation and inhibition of apoptosis; making the Wnt pathway a good target for possible chemotherapeutics. The inventors have shown that Siah-1 promotes novel degradation of ?-catenin through interaction with the c-terminus of APC. The technology describes a screening assay for cancer chemotherapeutic agents that target Siah-1 induction.

Benefits
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 145,000 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in 2005. The colon cancer drug market will be worth over $2.58 billion in 2006; however there is still great need for more effective, targeted treatment. Siah-1 presents the opportunity for future drug screening of targeted agents.

Stage of Development
A formal patent application has been filed under the PCT with publication number: World Intellectual Organization Publication Number: WO02/02819 A1.
This technology is part of an active and ongoing research program. It is available for developmental research support/licensing under either exclusive or non-exclusive terms.

Additional Info
*Liu J, Stevens J, Rote CA, Yost HJ, Hu Y, Neufeld KL, White RL, Matsunami N. (2001) Siah-1 mediates a novel beta-catenin degradation pathway linking p53 to the adenomatous polyposis coli protein. Mol Cell. 7(5):927-36.
*See also Dr. White's Web Page: http://www.egcrc.org/pis/white-c.htm

Inventor(s): Raymond White, Jun Liu, Norisada Matsunami

Type of Offer: Licensing



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