Reference #: 1761
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for Novel Intracellular IL-1α Inhibitors for Treating Cancer and Immune Diseases.
Background:
Interleukin-1α (IL-1α) is a key cytokine that plays a crucial role in immune system regulation. Dysregulation of IL-1α has been implicated in various chronic diseases, including cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and sepsis. While IL-1α neutralizing antibodies have demonstrated moderate success in preclinical studies, clinical trials have shown variable response rates depending on the disease context, with only mild benefits observed in cancer treatment. One possible reason for this limitation is that neutralizing antibodies cannot target intracellular IL-1α. Currently, no drug is available to directly target intracellular IL-1α.
Invention Description:
This invention details a series of small IL-1α peptide inhibitors (ILAPINs), designed to target the N-terminal region of pro-IL-1α. To enhance cellular uptake, we linked a cell-penetrating peptide to ILAPIN-1 to facilitate its delivery. This targeted region includes the nuclear localization sequence (NLS), which is essential for IL-1α’s localization to the nucleus and mitochondria. This ILAPIN-1 treatment effectively blocked LPS-induced IL-1α nuclear translocation and its intracellular activities.
Potential Applications:
This innovation can be used in the medical field, specifically in the treatment of chronic diseases such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and sepsis. This invention could target both biopharma companies developing next-generation therapies and healthcare providers treating chronic inflammatory conditions, further expanding its reach in the global healthcare market.
Advantages and Benefits:
This innovation is different and superior because it targets intracellular IL-1α, a critical mechanism that other treatments currently overlook. Most existing therapies only block IL-1α at the surface level, which limits their effectiveness, especially in conditions where the protein is active inside cells. By directly targeting IL-1α within cells, this innovation offers a more precise and effective treatment, potentially leading to better patient outcomes with fewer side effects.