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Cell Immunotherapy for Lymphomas, Nasopharyngeal Carcinomas, and a subset of Gastric Carcinomas (10 GB 44O7 3GCJ)
A London-based organisation (UK) has developed a T cell receptor (TCR) therapy which generates LMP2-specific T cell populations for the treatment of Epstein Barr Virus(EBV)-associated lymphomas, gastric cancer and nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC). The organisation is seeking partners to collaborate in the next stage of the study.
Country: United Kingdom
Type: OFFER
Date: 25.10.2010
T-cell immunotherapies typically use vaccines, peptides, or autologous therapies, to target disease caused by EBV. Having worked on other targets, this organisation has developed T-Cell Receptor (TCR) gene transfer that has the potential to form a more effective immunotherapy.
The feasibility of retroviral TCR gene transfer in preclinical models has been demonstrated in the past, and has now been extended to clinical trials in melanoma patients. By combining TCR gene transfer and targeting LMP2, this technology produces high frequency and high avidity T cells of both CTL and Th types with anti-tumour activity.
Note: Latent membrane protein-2 (LMP2) is an Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)-derived antigen and is expressed in approximately 40% of lymphomas, 10% gastric carcinomas and virtually all poor prognosis undifferentiated non-keratinising nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC). TCR-gene transfer efficiently generates LMP2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations that are capable of recognising LMP2 expressing tumour cells in vitro and in vivo.
The TCR gene transfer will allow the rapid and reliable conversion of patient T cells into LMP2-specific CTL and Th cells with high frequency and avidity. TCR gene transfer is not dependent on the competence of the patient's own immune system: it is possible to direct T cells against target antigens even when the patients own repertoire lacks T cells that can recognise the selected target antigen.
Innovative Aspects:
Latent membrane protein-2 (LMP2) is an Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)-derived antigen and is expressed in some of the lymphomas as well as in nasopharyngeal (NPC) and gastric carcinomas. Most importantly LMP2 is present in nearly all poorly differentiated and undifferentiated non-keratinising NPCs which have poor prognosis and are refractory to treatment.
This technology is based on T cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy to generate LMP2-specific T cell populations for the treatment of EBV-associated lymphomas and NPCs.
Collaborative efforts towards demonstrating that TCR-gene transfer efficiently generates LMP2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations that are capable of recognising LMP2 expressing tumour cells, and confirming the resulting anti-tumor activity are sought.
Degree of development:
Patents/Rights: Patent(s) applied for but not yet granted
Requested Cooperation: License Agreement, Joint further development
- Type of partner sought: Industry
- Specific area of activity of the partner: Therapies
- Task to be performed by the partner sought:Demonstrate that TCR-gene transfer efficiently generates LMP2-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations that are capable of recognising LMP2 expressing tumour cells, and confirming the resulting anti-tumor activity are sought
Type of Organisation:
Status: NEW
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