Her-2/Neu Overexpression Abrogates Growth Inhibitory Pathways
This invention provides: New therapeutic options for the treatment of cancers that overexpress HER-2/neu. New insight into the mechanism by which HER-2/neu overexpression leads to cancer. Methods to gain valuable information useful for the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.
Therapeutics, diagnostics, and prognostics for cancers that overexpress HER-2/neu. Research tools to investigate the mechanisms by which HER-2/neu overexpression leads to cancer.
Researchers at the University of California have conducted a comprehensive gene analysis or "profile" of human breast cancer cells engineered to overexpress HER-2/neu. These profiling experiments have revealed that HER-2/neu overexpression results in characteristic patterns of gene expression that are associated with the malignant phenotype, including alterations in the Transforming Growth Factor-Beta (TGF-Beta) pathway. In addition, the researchers found that antibodies capable of inhibiting HER-2/neu receptor function and a TGF-Beta family member synergistically inhibit the growth of mammalian cells. Available technologies resulting from these discoveries include methods for obtaining genetic profiles of cancer cells in order to assess the status of a cancer in an individual, methods for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells that exhibit certain genetic profiles, and methods for the treatment of cancer using an antibody capable of inhibiting HER-2/neu and a TGF-Beta family member.
Patent Number: US6767541B2
Application Number: US2001813517A
Inventor: Slamon, Dennis J. | Wilson, Cindy A. | Calzone, Frank J.
Priority Date: 20 Mar 2000
Priority Number: US6767541B2
Application Date: 20 Mar 2001
Publication Date: 27 Jul 2004
IPC Current: A61K0039395 | C07K001632 | C12Q000168
US Class: 4241431 | 4241301 | 4241331 | 4241411 | 4241421 | 4241521 | 4241551 | 4241561 | 4241721 | 4241741 | 5140089 | 5140193 | 5303871 | 5303873 | 5303877 | 5303881 | 53038815 | 5303882 | 53038822 | 5303888 | 53038885 | 514002
Assignee Applicant: The Regents of the University of California | Amgen Inc.,Thousand Oaks
Title: HER-2/neu overexpression abrogates growth inhibitory pathways
Usefulness: HER-2/neu overexpression abrogates growth inhibitory pathways
Summary: The method is used for examining a breast cell for evidence of a malignant phenotype. An antibody that inhibits Her-2/neu receptor function and a transforming growth factor-β are used to treat cancer (breast or ovarian) by inhibiting the growth of mammalian cancer cells (all claimed).
Novelty: Examining a breast cell for a malignant phenotype comprises comparing mRNA expression profiles in cells which overexpress Her-2/neu and in normal cells
Disease Diagnostic/Treatment
Cancer/Tumor
BACKGROUND The human HER-2/neu proto-oncogene encodes a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase with extensive sequence homology to the epidermal growth factor receptor. Amplification and/or overexpression of HER-2/neu has been found in one-third of human breast and one-fifth of ovarian cancers. In addition, the HER-2/neu alteration is associated with a poor clinical outcome in that women whose tumors contain it experience earlier disease relapse and shorter overall survival. Recently, this genetic alteration has been successfully targeted in humans using the monoclonal antibody HERCEPTIN. However, the molecular pathways leading from HER-2/neu overexpression to increased malignancy remain unclear and few targets downstream of HER-2/neu have been identified. Much remains to be learned about how HERCEPTIN functions as an anti-tumor agent and why certain HER-2/neu overexpressing tumors respond to therapy while many others do not. Additional Technologies by these Inventors Tech ID/UC Case 10198/2000-389-0 Related Cases 2000-389-0
USA
