Download New therapeutic target for the inhibition of tumour angiogenesis

New therapeutic target for the inhibition of
tumour angiogenesis
Market Sector: Cancer Therapeutics, Ophthalmology, Angiogenesis Inhibitors
Market Sector: Cancer Therapeutics, Ophthalmology, Angiogenesis Inhibitors
Mock
Teli
CtBP2i
Fig. 1 Loss of Tel (Teli) or CtBP (CtBPi), results in a profound inhibition of
endothelial sprouting. Primary endothelial cells were grown in an adapted 3-D
Albinusdreef 2, PoBox 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
To grow more than a few millimetres in size, tumours must re-route the local
vasculature to ensure a ready supply of nutrient and growth factors.This
process is called angiogenesis without which tumors would not represent a
serious health threat. Consequently, since its discovery close to forty years
ago, there has been a global, concerted effort to identify inhibitors of this
process. Recently, researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center have
uncovered a new mechanism that is central to the control of angiogenesis.
Specifically, they have discovered that the evolutionarily conserved complex
(Tel/ETV6: CtBP) is indispensable for endothelial cell sprouting.
Mechanistically Tel:CtBP moderates the equilibrium between positive and
antagonistic angiogenesis cues and renders endothelial cells competent for
angiogenesis by repressing expression of negative regulators of the process
such as ve-cadherin, delta-like 4 and sprouty family members. These new
findings indicate that Tel is a central regulator of angiogenesis and highlight
Tel and its associated networks as previously overlooked targets for the
development of therapeutic strategies to inhibit aberrant angiogenesis that
characterizes all solid tumors as well as eye diseases such as age-related
macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Keywords
Therapeutics, Drug Target, Angiogenesis
Modulation, Cancer, AMD, Retinopathy
Current study
Collaboration with the aim of designing and
screening small molecule inhibitors is under
evaluation.
Commercial Partner Sought
Biotechnological and pharmaceutical companies
having extensive experience in developing and
marketing cancer therapeutics for license and
co-development.
Key Benefits
There is strong evidence that the Etv6/CtBP
complex is an essential mediator of
angiogenesis. This complex could serve as a
therapeutic target for the inhibition of tumour
growth and as a target for the treatment of other
diseases in which angiogenesis plays a role.
Patent / IP Status
Patent application filed in March 2009.
Applications
Identification of angiogenesis inhibiting drugs for
the treatment of diseases that involve aberrant
angiogenesis, like all solid tumors and eye
diseases, such as age-related macular
degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.
Albinusdreef 2, PoBox 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
LEIDEN UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Contact details
N.B. Vogels, MSc, Technology Transfer Officer, [email protected]
Tel. +31 71 526 5559, Fax +31 71 526 6921
www.lumc.nl
Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) is strongly committed to the advancement of health care,
through research and innovation. In particular, the focus is on translational research, with the overall
aim to accelerate transfer of findings from the laboratory to clinical application, and to the market.
LUMC has a reputation as a pioneering institute in its field, both nationally and internationally.