PAGE TITLE
Overview
PAGE SUMMARY
Drexel researchers have developed small molecule therapeutics overcoming drug resistance mechanisms in certain types of ovarian and breast cancers. These compounds are specific inhibitors of human RAD51, a protein that plays a critical role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) and inter-strand cross links (ICL), the types of DNA damage caused by ionizing radiation or chemotherapies like cisplatin and doxorubicin. The ability to repair such DNA damage is a main form of cancer cells’ resistance to treatment, and is mediated by homologous recombination, a highly conserved mechanism of maintaining genome’s integrity. RAD51 plays a crucial role in homologous recombination and is vital for cell survival. RAD51 is overexpressed in a variety of cancer cells, which makes it a particularly attractive target for cancer therapeutics inhibiting RAD51. The combination of the newly discovered inhibitors of RAD51 with platinum chemotherapeutics or radiation therapy may significantly increase the potency of anti-cancer treatments in certain types of ovarian and breast cancer. In mouse xenograft model of breast cancer Drexel’s RAD51 inhibitor has significantly enhanced the therapeutic activity of cisplatin.
APPLICATIONS
TITLE: Applications
Anti-cancer therapy in combination with chemo- or radiation therapy
Can be used for the treatment of variety of cancers including breast cancer and ovarian cancer among others
ADVANTAGES
TITLE:Advantages
Small molecule inhibitors
Specifically target RAD51 that is overexpressed in cancer cells
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IP STATUS
Intellectual Property and Development Status
United States Patent Issued-9,750,742
http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=9750742.PN.&OS=PN/9750742&RS=PN/9750742
United States Patent Issued-9,216,177
http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=9216177.PN.&OS=PN/9216177&RS=PN/9216177
Commercialization Opportunities
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Contact Information
Robert McGrath, PhD
Senior Associate Vice Provost
Drexel Applied Innovation
Drexel University
3020 Market Street, Suite 510
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(T): 215-895-0303
rbm26@drexel.edu