Blocking CD38 using Protein G Complexed Daratumumab Antibodies (PGDARA) to Protect Natural Killer Cells from Daratumumab-induced Apoptosis and Cell Death for the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

This technology includes the method of blocking CD38 in expanded natural killer (NK) cell therapy in combination with daratumumab in patients with multiple myeloma. Our in vitro studies have already confirmed the addition of NK cells to myeloma cells that have been exposed to daratumumab enhances myeloma killing compared to single agent treatment.

LZK and DLK Inhibitors to Target LZK and Suppress MYC Expression, Inhibit AKT Activation, and Promote Cancer Cell Death and Tumor Regression

This technology includes the use of LZK and DLK inhibitors to be used for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) or lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Specifically, we demonstrate that inhibitors that can be repurposed to target LZK suppresses LZK kinase-dependent stabilization of MYC and activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vivo preclinical cell line xenograft mouse model demonstrates that targeting LZK will suppress tumor growth. We also demonstrate that several additional compounds potently inhibit LZK and could serve as new therapeutic modalities.

A Mouse Model of Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia, Type I

The current invention embodies a mouse model which is heterozygous for a null allele at the Men1 locus of murine chromosome 19. Men1 has similar exon-intron organization and amino acid identity compared with its human analog MEN1, which has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple endocrine neoplasia, type I (MENI). This mouse model has been shown to develop features remarkably similar to those of MEN1, which include tumors of the endocrine pancreas, pituitary, and parathyroids.

Enhancing Activity of Bispecific Antibodies in Combination with Ibrutinib for the Treatment of Cancer

This technology includes the combination of a kinase inhibitor (specifically ibrutinib) with a bispecific antibody (specifically a CD19/CD3 bispecific antibody) to be used to treat cancer. CD19/CD3 bispecific antibodies (bsAbs) can be used to recruit endogenous T cells against CD19+ tumor cells via the formation of cytolytic synapses. lbrutinib, a BTK inhibitor, has been shown to normalize T cell dysfunction characteristic of CLL.

Antibody Targeting of Cell Surface Deposited Complement Protein C3d as a Treatment for Cancer

This technology includes monoclonal antibodies (mAb) that specifically and with high affinity bind the final complement components C3dg and C3d (subsequently referred to as C3d), which can be used to kill tumor cells that carry C3d on their cell surface. We show that tumor cells of patients treated with the therapeutic anti-CD20 mAb ofatumumab carry C3d on the cell surface and can bind and be killed by addition of anti-C3 mAbs. In contrast, further addition of more ofatumumab has only minimal effects.

Development of High-Throughput ELISA Based Binding Assays to Detect p53/p63/p73 Family Protein-DNA Interaction in the 96-well Microplate Format for Drug Screening and Other Clinical and Diagnostic Uses

This technology includes ELISA based binding assays of p53, p63 or p73 provide possibilities to validate genome sequencing results, and allow the performance of more in-depth investigation to address scientific mechanisms, as well as to develop applications for high-throughput clinical and diagnosis usages. While quantitative p53 binding assays have been commercially developed, there is a lack of high-throughput method to detect binding activity of all three p53/p63/p73 family members, which are an important step for these transcription factors to perform their function.

A New Molecular Scaffold for Targeting hRpn13 as a Treatment for Cancer

This technology includes a new chemical scaffold (with lead compound XL5) against hRpn13 that induces apoptosis, which may have clinical efficacy against cancer. The structure of XL5-conjugated hRpn13 guided the design of XL5-PROTAC degrader compounds that exhibit greater efficacy than previous hRpn13-targeting compounds, as evaluated by selectivity for hRpn13, induction of apoptosis, and loss of cell viability. In cells, XL5-PROTACs revealed the presence of a truncated hRpn13 product that binds to proteasomes and is selectively degraded by XL5-PROTACs.

Real-time Monitoring of In Vivo Free Radical Scavengers Through Hyperpolarized [1-13C] N-acetyl Cysteine as a Diagnostic and Disease Monitoring Tool

This technology includes synthesized demonstrated [1-13C] NAC as a promising novel probe for hyperpolarized 13C MRI methodologies which could provide diagnostic, and evaluation of response to treatment in various cancers and neurological diseases. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a widely used therapeutic and involved to stimulate glutathione synthesis. Glutathione elevates detoxification and works directly as a free radical scavenger. In vivo hyperpolarized NAC was broadly distributed throughout the body.

Isotopes of Alpha Ketoglutarate and Related Compounds for Hyperpolarized MRI Imaging

This technology includes 1-13C-ketoglutarate which can be used for imaging the conversion to hydroxyglutarate (HG) or Gln in cancer cells with an IDH1 mutations by hyperpolarized MRI. The ability to detect the status of IDH1 mutations is clinically prognostic for multiple cancers. These exciting observations are limited by two factors, the major one being that the natural abundance of 13C at position C5 overlaps with 1-13C-2-hydroxyglutarate peak, which limits the sensitivity of analysis and prevents simultaneous observations of HG and Gln formation.

Human Monoclonal Antibodies to Generate Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells to Treat Patients with Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC).

This technology includes six human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target tumor antigens derived from the CT-RCC HERV-E (human endogenous retrovirus type E) to generate Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cells to treat patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). These mAbs were identified from Adagene Inc’s human antibody phage library, and data show that majority of these mAbs only bind to CT-RCC HERV-E+ ccRCC cells, which express TM but not CT-RCC HERV-E non-expressing ccRCC cells nor non-RCC cells.