Gene silencing technology for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer

Invention Novelty: The given invention proposes an efficient technology for the treatment of triple negative breast cancer
 
Value Proposition: Often associated with rapid progression and poor outcomes, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) refers to any breast cancer that does not express the genes for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Her2/neu and accounts for about 15-20% of all breast cancer cases. Moreover, TNBC patients have a higher rate if distant recurrence and a poorer prognosis than women with other breast cancer subtypes. Currently immunotherapy, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or even surgical procedures are being employed for the treatment of TNBC, but these methods are accompanied by various challenges mainly due to the heterogeneity of the disease and the absence of well-defined molecular targets. This invention thus is a
•       Targeted therapy for breast cancer
•       Demonstrated promising decrease in metastasis
 
Technical Details: Johns Hopkins researchers have developed methods for silencing the expression of the high mobility group A1 (HMGA1) gene that codes for chromatin remodeling protein, a key molecular switch required by cancer cells for tumor progression and a poorly differentiated, stem-like state. This RNA interference based gene silencing induces a rapid and dramatic reprogramming of highly proliferative, invasive, mesenchymal-like breast cancer cells to more differentiated, slowly growing, epithelial like cells.
 
Looking for Partners: To develop & commercialize the technology as a targeted inhibitor for triple negative breast cancer.
 
Patent Status: Granted US Patent 9,545,417 
 
Publication(s)/Associated Cases: Expert Opin Ther Targets. 2014 May;18(5):541-53; PLoS One. 2013 May 2;8(5):e63419.

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