Intralipid as a Contrast Agent to Enhance Subsurface Blood Flow Imaging

This technology includes a blood flow imaging method that allows for a higher density of smaller particles to be detected. Current imaging methods that are based on Doppler measurements are limited by the discontinuity in the capillary flow in the space between red blood cells. The core technology is to use a scattering agent to enhance capillary flow or microcirculation. This technology has been tested for optical coherence Doppler tomography, but can be expended to any Doppler based flow imaging techniques such as laser speckle imaging.

Selective A3 Adenosine Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Chronic Neuropathic Pain and Other Conditions

This technology includes the creation and use of A3 adenosine receptor (A3AR)-selective agonists for treating chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, chronic neuropathic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and other conditions. A3 receptors for adenosine are found in most cells and endogenous activation of the A3 receptors can result in apoptosis, thereby relieving the inflammation or targeting a tumor. A3AR agonists have been a promising strategy for the treatment of various diseases.

A3 Adenosine Receptor Positive Allosteric Modulators

Selective A3AR agonists are sought as potential agents for treating inflammatory diseases,
chronic pain, cancer and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NIDDK investigators have invented 
new chemical composition as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the A3AR. These chemical 
compounds contain sterically constrained, bridged modifications and cycloalkyl rings of various 
sizes, as well as modifications of the 4-arylamino group. The compounds have added 

Angubindin-1 Peptide for Transient Blood-Brain Barrier Opening to Boost Chemotherapy in Malignant Glioma

This technology includes a first-in-class synthetic peptide, angubindin-1, designed to temporarily relax the blood-brain barrier (BBB)—the tightly sealed network of brain blood vessel cells that normally blocks most drugs—from the inside. By binding the tricellular tight-junction protein angulin-1/LSR, the peptide creates a reversible “molecular doorway” that lets cancer medicines such as liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®) reach tumors in the central nervous system (CNS).

Concurrent Use of Atorvastatin During Chemotherapy Reduces Cisplatin-induced Ototoxicity

This technology includes the use of atorvastatin, a medication to manage hypercholesterolemia, as a method to protect patients receiving cisplatin from hearing loss. Cisplatin chemotherapy is indicated in various cancer types in adults and children and is known to cause hearing loss. A patient on atorvastatin during chemotherapy is 46% less likely to acquire a significant cisplatin-induced hearing loss relative to a non-statin user. Atorvastatin is an FDA-approved medication routinely prescribed and well-tolerated clinically.

Chimeric Antigen Receptors to CD276 for Treating Cancer

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are hybrid proteins consisting of an antibody binding fragment fused to protein signaling domains that cause T-cells which express the CAR to become cytotoxic.  Once activated, these cytotoxic T-cells can selectively eliminate the cells which they recognize via the antibody binding fragment of the CAR.  By engineering a T-cell to express a CAR that is specific for a certain cell surface protein, it is possible to selectively target those cells for destruction.  This is a promising new therapeutic approach known as adoptive cell therapy.

Dual Specific Anti-CD22 Anti-CD19 Bicistronic Chimeric Antigen Receptors (CARs)

Treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and lymphoma using chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) targeting B-cell surface protein CD19 has demonstrated impressive clinical results in children and young adults. Despite the promising results from CD19 CAR therapy, up to 40% of patients, who initially achieve remission, eventually relapse. Relapse or non-response to CD19-directed CAR therapy may be due to low or diminished CD19 expression. Such patients would be predicted to benefit from CAR therapies targeting other B-cell surface proteins, such as CD22.

Chimeric Antigen Receptors to CD22 for Treating Hematological Cancers

Chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) are hybrid proteins consisting of an antibody binding fragment fused to protein signaling domains that cause T-cells which express the CAR to become cytotoxic.  Once activated, these cytotoxic T-cells can selectively eliminate the cells which they recognize via the antibody binding fragment of the CAR.  Thus, by engineering a T-cell to express a CAR that is specific for a certain cell surface protein, it is possible to selectively target those cells for destruction.  This promising new therapeutic approach is known as adoptive cell therapy.

Gene Signature for Predicting Solid Tumors Patient Prognosis

HCC is the most frequent malignant tumor in the liver and the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide.  A progressive sequence of somatic mutations and epigenetic changes of oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes are believed to cause tumor development. However, high genomic instability in tumors causes the accumulation of genomic aberrations that do not contribute to tumor progression. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between ''driver'' mutations that are functionally important and ''passenger'' mutations that do not provide a selective advantage to the tumor cells.