Many chemotherapeutic agents cause significant cytotoxicity to non-cancer ("normal") cells, resulting in undesirable side-effects and often limiting the dose and/or duration of chemotherapy that can be administered to a patient.

Investigators at the National Cancer Institute’s Laboratory of Pathology have demonstrated that deficiency or blockade of the ubiquitously expressed receptor CD47 results in remarkable cell and tissue protection against ischemic and radiation stress. Antagonists of CD47 or its ligand THBS1/thrombospondin 1 enhance cell survival and preserve their proliferative capacity. The researchers found that using CD47-modulating compounds in combination with a chemotherapeutic agent increases the efficacy of that agent against inhibiting tumor growth. This discovery builds on previous discoveries of antibodies, antisense morpholino oligonucleotides, and peptide compounds that modulate CD47.

The results have been observed in mouse and pig models. Potential research collaborations could include clinical demonstration of effects.

Competitive Advantages:

• Enhances effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents while limiting off-target effects on normal tissue

Commercial Applications:

• Combination chemotherapy