Summary of Invention
Immune recognition of human cancer is commonly directed against differentiation antigens. A differentiation antigen is expressed in a cell lineage at a distinct stage of differentiation and distinguishes one cell type or cell lineage from other types or lineages. Immunity to differentiation antigen is difficult to elicit due to immune tolerance.
This invention demonstrates that the tolerance of the immune system for differentiation antigens can be overcome, and an immune response against cancer cells can be stimulated by immunization with an "altered" differentiation antigen. Such "alteration" is done in one of three ways. First, the antigen can be expressed in cells of a species different from the individual being treated. Second, the antigen can be expressed in a mutant form, for example a glycosylation or a phosphorylation mutant. Third, the antigen may be a differentiation antigen of the same type from a species different from the individual being treated (use of the term "species" has a broader scope than just humans and animals).
Advantages
Altered antigen-induced immunity encompasses both cellular and humoral components.
Areas of Application
Cancer vaccines.
Stage of Development
Clinical studies in progress.
Lead Inventor
Dr. Alan Houghton
Patent Information
- US patent 6,328,969. Prosecution of other US patents ongoing.
- Patent prosecution ongoing in Europe, Canada, and Japan.
Licensing strategy
"Field of use" licenses.
References
Naftzger C, et al. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 93(25):14809-14814 (1996).
Contact Information
Yashodhara Dash, MBBS, PhD, MBA
Tel. 212-639-6181; Fax212-717-3439
E-mail: dashy@mskcc.org
