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A Novel Target for the Neutralization of Cancer Stem Cells in Glioblastoma

Technology Benefits

May increase efficacy of GBM treatmentsNon-toxic to healthy cells; reduces comorbiditiesTargets slow-dividing stem cells as opposed to rapid-dividing cells (i.e. chemotherapies)

Technology Application

· Targeting cancer stem cells to increase efficacy of GBM treatment

Detailed Technology Description

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common, aggressive, and lethal primary brain tumor in adults. Currently, only four drugs are approved for GBM treatment. The current standard of care drug for GBM, Temozolomide, provides a limited survival advantage of less than 3 months, even when with combined surgical and radiation therapies. Furthermore, standard therapy is highly toxic to healthy cells. In GBM, cancer stem cells are associated with chemotherapy resistance and tumor recurrence. The increased proliferation of the cancer stem cell population is a prognostic marker for disease progression and poor clinical outcome; however, few therapeutic strategies target cancer stem cell self-renewal. UCI scientists have discovered a novel mechanism that can be exploited to regulate cancer stem maintenance and renewal to treat GBM, and may provide a promising approach to increase the overall efficacy of GBM treatment modalities.

Others

State Of Development

· Ongoing and future plans include:

o Development of a neutralizing antibody to target cancer stem cell renewal in vivo

o Test efficacy of combined neutralizing antibody with Temozolomide

o Evaluation of therapeutic candidate in vitro and in vivo

Tech ID/UC Case

29238/2017-888-0

Related Cases

2017-888-0

*Abstract

Researchers at UC Irvine have recently discovered a novel mechanism that can be exploited to disrupt the maintenance and self-renewal capacity of cancer stem cells. This finding has therapeutic implications for the treatment of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM), which is the most common, aggressive and lethal primary brain tumor.

*Principal Investigator

Name: Aileen Anderson

Department:

Name: Francisca Benavente

Department:

Country/Region

USA