Chemokine Therapeutics receives U.S. Patent for novel cancer drug in clinical development
The patent entitled "Therapeutic Chemokine Receptor Antagonists", with a term lasting to August 2019, covers some of the methods by which CTCE-9908 treats cancer. It strengthens the Company's growing proprietary position in peptide-based therapies which seek to address unmet medical needs in cancer, cardiovascular and infectious diseases.
Chemokines are a new class of cytokines, a group of small, soluble proteins, known as chemoattractant proteins, which signal biological responses that play a critical role in the immune system. Many of these biological signals are necessary for fighting infection, as well as tissue repair and regeneration. However, chemokines are also known to play an important role in cancer and autoimmune disorders which can paradoxically contribute to the survival and growth of abnormal cells that cause disease. CTCE-9908 represents an exciting new generation of drugs being developed that promise more targeted therapies to treat the underlying cancer while keeping healthy cells intact. The patent claims methods of treating cancer and inhibiting angiogenesis (blood vessel growth) by administration of an antagonist that blocks a chemokine receptor known as CXCR4. Leading cancer researchers have demonstrated that high CXCR4 expression in cancer cells is correlated to tumor progression, high metastasis rate and low survival rate. Blockage of CXCR4 reduces the growth of tumors by reducing blood vessel growth (anti-angiogenesis) which carries vital nutrients to a tumor.
Topics
Organizations
Other news from the department research and development
Get the life science industry in your inbox
From now on, don't miss a thing: Our newsletter for biotechnology, pharma and life sciences brings you up to date every Tuesday and Thursday. The latest industry news, product highlights and innovations - compact and easy to understand in your inbox. Researched by us so you don't have to.