Compositions and methods for cancer treatment using targeted carbon nanotubes
Patent Number: US8518870
 
Executive Summary:
  • Invention Type: Therapeutic
  • Patent Status: Active
  • Patent Link: https://patents.google.com/patent/US8518870/
  • Research Institute: University of Oklahoma
  • Disease Focus: Breast cancer
  • Basis of Invention: Therapeutic proteins linked to carbon nanotubes
  • How it works: A linking protein or protein peptide, such as Annexin V, is associated with single-walled carbon nanotubes. Annexin V specifically binds external receptors on the vasculature endothelium of a cancer cell, resulting in the location of the single-walled carbon nanotube at the outer surface of the tumor. Exposure of electromagnetic radiation, comprising a wavelength that is absorbed by the single-walled carbon nanotube, results in the destruction of the tumor vasculature
  • Lead Challenge Inventor: Roger G. Harrison
  • Inventors: Roger G. Harrison, Jr., Daniel E. Resasco, Luis Filipe Ferreira Neves
  • Development Stage: Pre-clinical
  • Novelty:
    • Use of single-walled carbon nanotubes
  • Clinical Applications:
    • Specific detection and destruction of tumor cells using photodynamic therapy

General Description:
Photodynamic therapy is based on the concept that light irradiation can change an inert substance to an active one and holds great promise for the treatment of cancer. T specific light-sensitive agent can be administered to the cancer patient, and light of a specific wavelength activates this compound, resulting in a cytotoxic reaction and the destruction of cancer cells. To prevent cytotoxic side-effects, the current invention describes the association of such light-sensitive compound with a protein that directly binds to the tumor.
 
Strengths:
  • Improved treatment efficacy and toxicity compared to systemic approaches
  • Tumor specific
  • Lower dosages and lower toxicity

Weaknesses:
  • Two-step approach (drug delivery + irradiation)

Patent Status:
  • Filing date: 2009-11-13

Inventor Bio: Roger G. Harrison
http://www.ou.edu/coe/cbme/people/faculty1/harrison.html