Killing of Tumor Cells Containing an Activated Ras Gene Effector Pathway by Inhibition of Protein Kinase C Delta

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Intellectual Property

ID:		06-02
IP Type:		Licensable Technology
Title:		Killing of Tumor Cells Containing an Activated Ras Gene Effector Pathway by Inhibition of Protein Kinase C Delta
Inventor:		Faller, Douglas V
Summary:		The concept of targeting cancer therapeutics towards specific mutations or abnormalities in tumor cells which are not found in normal tissues has the potential advantages of high selectively for the tumor and correspondingly low secondary toxicities. At least 20% of all human malignancies display activating mutations in the p21Ras genes, and perhaps another 60% display other activating mutations or over-activity of p21Ras -signaling pathways. The inventor has discovered that over-activity of p21Ras -signaling sensitizes cells to death induced by inhibition of Protein Kinase C-delta activity. PKC-delta is required for survival of tumor cells expressing activated p21Ras. In contrast, suppression of PKC-delta activity is not toxic to cells with normal levels of p21Ras activity. This finding can be exploited as a targeted cancer therapeutic. The inventor has characterized PKC-delta-mediated apoptosis molecularly, and demonstrated its selectivity in vitro and in vivo.
Tech Type:		Drug Discovery Tools
URL:		http://ctf-fmfe.bu.edu/BU0602.pdf
Contact:		Rick T. Clark, rclark@bu.edu, 617 358 4208
Organization:		Boston University

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