Reference #: 01140
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for a polymer/copper formulation to treat cancer.
Invention Description:
The subject invention is a polymer/copper combination drug that can selectively kill a wide-spectrum of cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
Potential Applications:
Cancer treatment
Advantages and Benefits:
1. Enhanced efficacy as a result of the combination of polymer and copper
2. Minimal side effects as a result of specific cancer cell selectivity
3. Longer half-life due to enhanced permeability and retention effect
4. Wide-spectrum of anticancer activity including breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia, head and neck cancer, and liver cancer
Background:
Most anticancer drugs damage normal cells as they kill cancer cells, which can lead to adverse side effects such as heart tissue damage, a weakened immune system, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea, hair loss, or nerve damage. Therefore, it is crucial that cancer treatments effectively eliminate cancer cells without damaging healthy tissue.
Experimental Validation:
In vitro cell culture experiments revealed that this system is able to effectively kill cancer cells, including HCT-116 colon cancer cells, SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells, HepG2 liver cancer cells, NIC/ADR-RES drug resistant ovarian, HL60 leukemia cells, and MCF-7 breast cancer cells without harming normal cells.