Description:
Market: Prostate cancer is the
second most common cancer, and second leading cause of cancer death, in American
men. The American Cancer Society predicts over 186,000 new diagnoses of prostate
cancer, and over 28,000 deaths in the US in 2008. With early detection being key
to a better prognosis, a significant number of people are demanding faster and
more accurate diagnosis, and more targeted, efficient, and effective
therapies.
Competitors and Current
Problems: One diagnostic of prostate cancer is by the PSA blood tests.
Unfortunately, if higher than normal levels of PSA are detected in blood, it
could indicate prostate inflammation, prostate enlargement or be a normal
fluctuation rather than being indicative of cancer. False positive are
problematic.
The Technology: A UTHSCH
scientist has identified and characterized a prostate cancer target, SENP1, also
known as Sentrin/SUMO- specific protease 1, with diagnostic and therapeutic
implications, as well as developing methods of use and research tools useful in
analysis. Included in the portfolio are nucleotide and polypeptide segments
potentially useful as diagnostics for prostate cancer and possibly other
cancers, as well. Characterization includes expression profiles, subcellular
localization, and in vitro activity. SENP1 is over-expressed in prostatic
intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostate cancer tissues, but not in normal
prostate tissue. SENP1 transgenic mice that over-express SENP1 in the prostate
gland cause the development of high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.
Recent work demonstrated SENP1 stabilizes hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha during
hypoxia, thus playing a critical role in tumor angiogenesis. Work by the
inventor also resulted in the development of important tools, such as antibodies
and transgenic and knock-out mice.
References: Cell,
Vol. 131, 584-595, 2007; Neoplasia, Vol. 8, No. 8, 667-676, 2006;
The Journal of Biological Chemistry, Vol. 15, 14492-14498, 2005;
Human Molecular Genetics, Vol. 14, No. 14, 1955-1963, 2005;
Molecular and Cellular Biology, Vol. 24, No. 13, 6021-6028, 2004;
Gene, Vol. 248, 1-14, 2000; The Journal of Biological
Chemistry, Vol. 275, 3355-3359, 2000
.
UTHealth Ref. No.:
2004-0030; 2004-0034; 2003-0057; 1999-0023;
1996-0013RMD; 1996-0002
Inventors: E. T. H. Yeh
Patent Status: US Patent No. 6,596,527; 7,179,650; 7,579,152; and pending
applications
License Available:
world-wide; exclusive or
non-exclusive