C11855: Immortalized Normal Human Pancreatic and Pancreatic Cancer Associated FibroblastsNovelty:
Immortalized fibroblast cell lines established from pancreatic cancer tissue and normal pancreatic tissue.
Value Proposition:
Cancer-associated stromal fibroblast cells (CAF) have been identified to be involved in pancreatic tumor growth. Therefore CAFs are an ideal candidate to study the role of fibroblasts in the propagation of pancreatic cancer. This invention includes immortalized CAF cell lines and normal fibroblast cell lines for pancreatic cancer research. Other advantages include:
• Immortal cells make analysis of the cell biology easier
• Used to study fundamental cellular level mechanism of CAF in pancreatic cancer
• Identification of therapeutic drug targets for the treatment of pancreatic cancer
Technical Details:
Johns Hopkins researchers have established immortalized cell lines of pancreatic cancer associated fibroblasts from human pancreatic adenocarcinomas. Additionally, they have also established normal pancreatic fibroblasts from non-neoplastic pancreas tissue to be used as controls in studies. Global gene expression analysis of these two cell lines has revealed that the Hedgehog receptor Smo is overexpressed in human pancreatic CAFs compared to the normal cells. This information is key to use Smo as drug target for pancreatic cancer treatment.
Looking for Partners:
To develop & commercialize the technology as a life science research tool for studying pancreatic pathophysiology and pancreatic cancer development and progression.
Stage of Development:
Cell Lines established
Data Availability:
Data validated
Publications/Associated Cases:
Clin Cancer Res. 2010 March 15; 16(6): 1781–1789
