|
|
|
|
Immunotoxin Useful for Treatment of AIDS
| | Inventor: Ira Pastan et al. (NCI) | Record Date: 11/5/2009 | | Last Updated: 11/5/2009 |
Abstract: | | Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks and destroys T cells, leading to the development of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in patients. Although significant progress has been made treating patients with AIDS, an effective cure has yet to be identified. For example, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has shown dramatic reduction of viral replication while allowing recovery of the immune system in HIV patients. However, HAART does not directly kill HIV-infected T cells, allowing the virus to persist in the body and resume replication and infection of T cells after HAART is stopped. This ultimately results in a return to pre-treatment levels of viral replication and the persistence of the disease in patients. The current technology concerns an invention that can be used to address this limitation of HAART. An immunotoxin has been created that targets a toxin (PE38) to the HIV-specific Envelope glycoprotein (gp120) that is displayed on the surface of T cells that have been infected with the HIV virus. The immunotoxin kills the HIV-infected T cells and other infected cell types that serve as a viral reservoirs during HAART, thereby reducing the ability of the virus to replicate and infect other cells after HAART is stopped. Recent data shows that the immunotoxin blocks the spread of HIV-1 in vitro and does not induce hepatotoxicity in rhesus monkeys, suggesting the procedure could be effective in human patients. By combining the immunotoxin with a treatment regimen such as HAART, it may be possible to significantly improve treatment of HIV infection. Advantages: • Overcomes a limitation of current HIV therapies by specifically depleting infected cell reservoirs • Specific targeting of HIV-infected cells allows depletion of infected cells without affecting uninfected cells • Combination therapy combines inhibition of HIV replication and selective killing of infected cells that still persist Development Status: Preclinical stage of development |
Applications: | | • Reduction of HIV-1 infected cell populations in patients to reduce viral reservoirs • Treatment of HIV infection in combination with therapeutic regimens such as HAART |
Patent:
US Patent Application 09/673,707, pending European Patent 1085908 |
License:
Available for licensing. Collaborative Research Opportunity: The Center for Cancer Research, Laboratory of Molecular Biology, is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize this technology. Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information. |
Address:
National Institutes of Health
Office of Technology Transfer
6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
Rockville, MD 20852
USA
Phone: 301-435-4632
Fax: 301-402-0220 | |
E-mail:
lambertsond@mail.nih.gov
URL:
http://www.ott.niih.gov
|
|
| - Return to the Previous Page - |
|
|
|
| |
|
KE Subscription:
