Out-licensing

A Peptide Marker Targeting to Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Diagnostic, Targeting Therapy and Drug Delivery System

Introduction/Background

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. The five-year survival rate is less than 15 % for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Conventional chemotherapy is limited by the toxicity of the drugs to normal tissues.

Aims/Hypothesis

Lack of tumour specificity remains a major problem for chemotherapies in which side effects prevent the delivery of the drug dosages needed to eliminate the majority of cancer cells.

Research

We have identified a novel peptide capable of binding to several NSCLC cell lines but not able to bind to normal cells. The targeting peptide is able to recognize human pulmonary tumour specimens from lung cancer patients. In SCID mice bearing NSCLC xenografts, this targeting peptide significantly improves the therapeutic index of drug to NSCLC.

Targeting peptide coupled to liposomes containing anti-cancer drugs vinorelbine or doxorubicin, significantly improved drug efficacy against human lung cancer xenografts and reduced drug toxicity.

Conclusion

We have elucidated a peptide marker targeting to NSCLC.

Relevance/Opportunity

We are currently seeking licensing or codevelopment partnerships. Please enquire quoting reference no. 10A-960116.

Preclinical

US pending, TW pending, PCT pending