Available Technology
Inhibiting long chain fatty acid oxidation for the treatment of cancer
Technology:
Potential target for treating cancers with enhanced FA catabolism as a metabolic profile
Markets Addressed
Prostate cancer is uniquely characterized by slow glycolysis and an enhanced dependence on fatty acid catabolism. Target expression is significantly decreased in prostate tumor samples. Data suggests the loss of target expression in prostate cancer promotes fatty acid uptake into mitochondria to meet a biogenergetic requirements of these cells. Overexpression of the target reverses this metabolic phenotype. Activators of the target may present a unique strategy for treating cancers with enhanced FA catabolism as a metabolic profile.
Innovations and Advantages
The processes of fat oxidation and fat synthesis are largely regulated by acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC). ACC converts acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA, which serves as a substrate for fatty acid synthesis and as an inhibitor of long-chain fatty acid oxidation. In this case, ACC activation increases the production of fatty acids, while ACC inhibition reduces fatty acid production.
For logical reasons, ACC inhibition has been identified as a pathway of interest in metabolic disease treatment. Errors in fatty acid metabolism have implicated in the development of obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver diseases.
On the other hand, reduced ACC activity may play a role in the development of certain cancers that exhibit slow glycolosis and a greater dependence on fatty acid catabolism, such as some prostate cancers. Here we report the role of particular target in fatty acid metabolism, wherein the target activates an ACC isoform, consequently inhibiting long chain fatty acid oxidation.
Dr. Haigis’ laboratory has shown that the target interacts with ACC, leading to decreased fatty acid oxidation. The target may act as a sensor of oxygen, ROS, and α-ketogluterate levels in cells and as a potential metabolic switch in some cancers.
Additional Information
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Inventor(s):
Haigis, Marcia C.
Categories:
For further information, please contact:
Michal Preminger, Director of Business Development
(617) 432-0920
Reference Harvard Case #4768