C11436: HOXB7 a Therapeutic Target for Drug Resistant Breast Cancer
Novelty:
Inhibition of HOXB7 overcomes drug resistance and increases effectiveness of drugs in breast cancer patients.
Value Proposition:
HOXB7 has been implicated in maintaining drug resistance in breast cancer and inhibition of HOXB7 may result in alleviation of resistance and subsequent effectiveness of treatment. Other advantages include:
• potential as a therapeutic target.
• potential as an add on treatment for breast cancer cells which have developed resistance.
• potential to co-develop a companion diagnostic.
Technical Details:
Johns Hopkins researchers have discovered that higher expression levels of HOXB7 significantly correlates with poorer disease free survival in ER alpha-positive breast cancer patients on adjuvant Tamoxifen monotherapy. These studies also suggest that HOXB7 acts as a key regulator orchestrating two major groups of target molecules, ER alpha and HER2. Therefore, functional antagonism of HOXB7 has the potential to circumvent drug resistance.
Looking for Partners:
To develop and commercialize the technology as a therapeutic for resistant breast cancer patients.
Stage of Development:
Discovery
Data Availability:
Animal data supporting the role of HOXB7 in resistance development available.
Publications/Associated Cases:
PNAS. 2011 Jun 20 Cancer Res. 2006 Oct 1;66(19):9527-34.
