(REF. NO. 03-13)
Background
Ovarian cancer is frequently diagnosed in the late stages of the disease, resulting in a high incidence of unfavorable prognosis for the patient. Current therapies, including surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, are often insufficient to overcome the disease at an advanced stage, and new therapeutic strategies are extremely needed.
Summary of the Invention
Mullerian inhibiting substance (MIS) is a gonadal hormone that causes the regression of the Mullerian ducts, the anlagen of the female internal reproductive structures, during male embryogenesis. MIS is a member of the large transforming growth factor-beta (TGF beta) multigene family of glycoproteins that are involved in the regulation of growth and differentiation. The MIS receptor (MISIIR) is expressed in a large percentage of ovarian surface epithelium and ovarian cancers cells and represents a suitable target for ovarian cancer therapeutics. Researchers from Fox Chase Cancer Center have developed antibodies that specifically bind to MISIIR and trigger the regression of ovarian tumors. MISIIR antibody constructs will provide a highly specific means of targeting MISIIR on human ovarian carcinoma cells for the purpose of diagnosing and treating ovarian cancer. The antibody could function as an MIS ligand, inducing downstream signaling pathways. This is beneficial, as MIS itself has proven to be difficult to produce in large quantities. The design of the antibody containing an IgG Fc domain will prolong its time in circulation and can induce tumor cell killing via antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity or complement dependent cytotoxicity.
Patent Status:
US Patent # US 8,198,411 B2 issued June 12, 2012