The National Cancer Institute is seeking parties interested in collaborative research to co-develop, evaluate, or commercialize a new mouse model for monoclonal antibodies and immunoconjugates that target malignant mesotheliomas. Applications of the technology include models for screening compounds as potential therapeutics for mesothelioma and for studying the pathology of mesothelioma.
This invention involves the creation of a new mouse model for mesothelioma. By creating xenografts with mesothelioma cells that express GFP-Luciferase fusion proteins, the xenografts can be detected to a high degree of sensitivity, and monitored for several months following implantation. The high level of detection sensitivity improves the ability to monitor disease progression in response to therapeutic candidates, thereby allowing more efficient drug screening and evaluation. This has already been demonstrated by using the mouse to evaluate an anti-mesothelioma immunotoxin known as SS1P, a drug candidate that is currently being evaluated for clinical effectiveness.