TARGET FOR ENHANCEMENT OF THE ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY OF ANGIOGENESIS INHIBITORS

Most tumors must develop the capacity to stimulate angiogenesis before they become life-threatening cancers. Inhibitors of angiogenesis have shown promising antitumor activities in mouse model systems, however the efficacy of some of these inhibitors has been called into question. Agents that might improve the killing of cancerous cells by anti-angiogenesis treatment are likely to improve the success of therapies in their application to human cancers.

Researchers at UCSF have identified important targets for the development of agents to stimulate the activity of angiogenesis inhibitors. These targets were identified as part of a pathway important in hypoxia (starvation for oxygen) in a model system. The researchers have found that when they block this pathway, with either chemical inhibitors or gene mutations, that the organisms are much more sensitive to hypoxia. Therefore, the genes should provide specific targets (the mammalian homologs) for developing inhibitors to be used in conjunction with angiogenesis inhibitors. Such compounds should work synergistically with angiogenesis inhibitors and may also be effective on their own in the treatment and prevention of cancers.

If you would like to receive further information about this technology and potential licensing opportunities, please contact:

Joel B. Kirschbaum, Ph.D.
Director & Senior Technology Portfolio Manager
(415) 353-4462 phone
(415) 348-1579 fax
Joel Kirschbaum, Ph.D.

Reference: OTM Case #SF99-048