Available Technology
Gene therapy for papillomavirus induced cervical carcinoma
Technology:
Modified gene and encoded peptide
Markets Addressed
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) have been linked to widespread, serious human diseases, especially carcinomas of the genital and oral mucosa. These infections frequently lead to cancer of the cervix. It is estimated that 20% of all cancer deaths in women are from cancers associated with HPV, including 90% of all cervical cancers.
This technology is a cancer therapeutic, specifically:
-Gene therapy for cervical carcinoma.
-Gene therapy treatment for cervical hyperplasias that are precursers to cervical carcinoma.
-Peptide therapeutic for cervical carcinoma and/or hyperplasias.
Innovations and Advantages
Of the genes expressed by HPV during infection, the viral polypeptides encoded by the E2 gene play critical roles in the transcriptional regulation of other viral genes. Specifically, truncated peptides encoded by E2 can function as transcriptional repressors.
Harvard Medical School researchers have developed a modified gene and encoded peptide that inhibit the growth of papillomavirus infected cells without inhibiting the growth of uninfected cells.
The advantage of this discovery is that the therapeutic effect is highly specific for HPV infected cells. This treatment targets a function found only in infected cells. This is a viral function.
Additional Information
Intellectual Property Status: U.S. Patent 6,432,926 has issued for this invention.
This invention is related to Harvard Case 1486.
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Inventor(s):
Benson, John D.
Dowhanick-Morrissette, Jennifer J.
Howley, Peter M.
Sakai, Hiroyuki
Categories:
For further information, please contact:
Michal Preminger, Director of Business Development
(617) 432-0920
Reference Harvard Case #1229