Lentigen Corporation Receives Grant From NIH To Evaluate The Use Of Lentiviral-Engineered T-Cells For Cancer Immunotherapy Directed Against Key Tumor

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines;  Asbestos / Mesothelioma;  Ovarian Cancer
Article Date: 18 Oct 2006 - 0:00 PDT

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Lentigen Corporation announced today it has obtained National Institutes of Health (NIH) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I funding to evaluate the novel concept of using lentiviral-engineered T-cells that express chimeric receptors and signaling modules to improve efficacy of cancer immunotherapies directed against the tumor associated antigen, mesothelin. Mesothelin serves as a potentially promising target in mesothelioma, ovarian, squamous cell cancers of the head and neck, cervical, esophageal, pancreatic and many non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The primary collaborator on this award is Carl H. June M.D. of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

The ultimate goal for Lentigen and Dr. June's lab will be to demonstrate that human T-cells can be modified using a lentiviral delivery system to directly target cancers that express mesothelin. Success of this program will offer a potentially relevant therapeutic approach to current therapies, which are of limited effectiveness to many of the tumors noted above.

Dr. June is currently Director of Translational Research at the Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania, and Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. Dr. June is world renowned for his work in T-cell biology and testing novel forms of immunotherapy as treatments for cancer and chronic infections.

Dr. Boro Dropulic, Lentigen founder and CEO, commented, "We are very optimistic about the potential of chimeric receptors and signaling modules within lentiviral-engineered T-cells and the potential ability to offer improved efficacy for cancer immunotherapy directed against mesothelin, a promising target in many cancer indications. Our relationship with Dr. June and his lab continue to map the way for the advancement in the development of novel cancer therapies."

About Lentiviral Vectors

Lentiviral vectors (LV) are vehicles that can deliver genes or RNAi into cells with high efficiency and stability. Viral vector systems such as non- viral, adenoviral and adeno-associated viral vectors are limited by the poor stability of targeted genes in cells, while vectors such as murine retroviral vectors can deliver genes stably, but not efficiently.

Gene delivery is accomplished by the binding and fusing of the LV pseudotyped envelope protein to the target cell membrane. The LV RNA containing the gene or gene silencing sequence is then incorporated into the cell via reverse transcription creating a DNA complex. This complex enters the nucleus incorporating into the chromosomal DNA creating a stable molecule. The gene sequence is integrated in the chromosome and is copied along with the DNA during ongoing cell division.

About Lentigen Corporation

Lentigen Corporation is a privately owned biotechnology company focused on the manufacturing and development of lentiviral vectors using its proprietary gene delivery technology for a wide range of applications in biotechnology and medicine. Lentiviral vectors are highly adapted delivery vehicles that can transport genes or gene silencing sequences into cells with high efficiency and stability. Lentigen is positioning itself to become the leading provider of lentiviral vector products and services for academic, government, biotechnology and pharmaceutical researchers. For further information, visit http://www.lentigen.com.

Lentigen Corporation
http://www.lentigen.com

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