skip to: main content | section menu | full site menu

Technology Transfer from the University of Oxford

a novel cancer biomarker and drug target - Isis Project No 3101

Oxford researchers have discovered a novel cancer biomarker with great potential as a target for therapeutic intervention.

MARKETING OPPORTUNITY

The market for cancer therapies is set to experience significant change as newer targeted therapies replace broader spectrum treatments. Targeted therapies are generally better tolerated, less toxic and provide better patient outcomes. In parallel, ageing populations and improved detection methods have led to increases in the number of patients requiring treatment, and there remains an unmet need for more effective therapies.

THE OXFORD INVENTION

Oxford researchers hypothesised that the activity of a particular protein previously thought to be unrelated to cancer may play a direct role in the regulation of tumour cell proliferation and progression. Subsequent investigation of levels of expression of the protein in human tumour samples using immunohistochemical staining confirmed that, compared with normal tissues, the protein is expressed excessively in tissues from patients with lung, breast, head and neck cancers as well as lymphomas.

It has further been shown that:

  • Over-expression of the protein promotes cell proliferation by activating cell survival signalling
  • Disruption of this signalling or down-regulation of expression of the protein leads to decreased cell migration
  • Over-expression of the protein occurs in some human colorectal cancer cell lines
  • Over-expression of the protein in cells increases tumour growth

Further studies are underway to evaluate the effects in cancer models of a known ligand, and to screen libraries in order to identify new compounds effective against this target.

PATENT STATUS

This work is the subject of patent application filed in 2007. Isis would like to talk to companies interested in developing the commercial opportunity that this represents, and the patent application can be made available for review under CDA. Please contact the Isis Project Manager to discuss this further.

Request Further Information: Project Number 3101 - A novel cancer biomarker and drug target