Invention disclosures forwarded by NIH on January 21, 1997 for publication in the Federal Register
    Methods And Compositions For p300/CBP-Associated Transcriptional Co-Factor (P/CAF)

    Description of Invention:
    The adenoviral oncoprotein E1A induces cell transformation by binding to various cellular components, such as the products of the retinoblastoma and p300/CBP gene families. This invention provides a transcriptional co-factor, p300/CBP-associated factor (P/CAF), which has intrinsic histone acetylase activity and also competes with E1A for binding to cellular targets. Also provided are methods of screening for compounds that affect P/CAF activity. Methods for directed gene therapy to provide functional wild-type or mutant P/CAF to cells producing varying levels of P/CAF protein are also provided.

    Inventors:
    Y Nakatani, B Howard (NICHD)

    Recent Relevant Publication:
    XJ Yang, VV Ogryzko, J Nishikawa, BH Howard, Y Nakatani: "A p300/CBP-associated factor that competes with the adenoviral oncoprotein E1A," Nature 1996 Jul 25;382(6589):319-24.

    Patent Status:
    Serial No. 60/022,273 filed 23 Jul 96

    Portfolios:
    Cancer - Diagnostics
    Cancer - Therapeutics, biological response modifiers
    Devices - Research Tools and Materials, biologicals and chemicals

    For additional information, please contact:
    Ken Hemby
    Office of Technology Transfer
    National Institutes of Health
    6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
    Rockville, MD 20852-3804
    Phone: 301/496-7735 ext 265
    Fax: 301/402-0220

    Method Of Preventing Or Treating Disease Characterized By Neoplastic Cells Expressing CD40

    Description of Invention:
    The subject invention proposes a method for treating a mammal afflicted with a neoplastic disease caused by cells that express CD40. CD40 is a receptor protein present on B cells, monocytes, endothelial cells, and various carcinomas. The ligand for CD40 (CD40L) is present on activated T cells. CD40 has been shown to play a critical stimulatory role in normal B cell development. It has been previously demonstrated that signals that activate normal cells can lead to inhibition of neoplastic cells by inducing activation-induced cell death. Therefore, inhibition of neoplastic cell growth can be achieved through the use of CD40 stimulation. The invention discloses monoclonal antibodies to CD40, CD40 ligands, and combinations thereof. Oligomeric forms of CD40 ligands and fusion protein ligands are also disclosed. This invention is jointly owned by the National Institutes of Health and Immunex Corporation. All fields of use are available for licensing.

    Inventors:
    RJ Armitage (Immunex), WC Fanslow (Immunex), DL Longo (NCI), WJ Murphy (NCI)

    Patent Status:
    Serial No. 08/172,664 filed 23 Dec 93 and
    Serial No. 08/360,923 filed 21 Dec 94 (CIP)

    Portfolio:
    Cancer - Therapeutics, immunoconjugates, Mab

    For additional information, please contact:
    Joseph Contrera, M.S., J.D.
    Office of Technology Transfer
    National Institutes of Health
    6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
    Rockville, MD 20852-3804
    Phone: 301/496-7056 ext 244
    Fax: 301/402-0220

    Long Distance Sequencer Method: A Novel Strategy For Large DNA Sequencing Projects

    Description of Invention:
    The current invention represents an improvement over existing technologies used in sequencing long fragments of DNA. Existing technologies allow for the sequencing of a 10 kb fragment of DNA in two to three months; the present invention allows for such sequences to be obtained in two to three weeks. Specifically, the method consists of the cloning of a long (5 kb or longer) fragment of DNA into an appropriate vector, followed by the generation of a series of shorter fragments by a number of restriction digests. A "vectorette unit" is then ligated to each restriction fragment. This vectorette unit is an oligonucleotide 53 bases in length, and has a unique sequence which is not found in the human genome. Through use of the vectorette as a "known end," together with a specific primer, the DNA is amplified via PCR and directly sequenced using current technologies. The inventors have successfully used this method to sequence a 35 kb fragment of DNA.

    This method appears to represent four key advantages over existing sequencing methods. First, the sequence of a long fragment of DNA can be obtained far more rapidly than is currently possible. Second, as multiple cloning steps are not necessary, it is easier to perform. Third, a much smaller amount of DNA is needed for this method than is necessary when using currently available sequencing techniques. Fourth, because of its organized way of sequencing, one can clearly identify the region being sequenced.

    Inventors:
    K Hagiwara, CC Harris (NCI)

    Patent Status:
    Serial No. 60/017,569 filed 15 May 96

    Portfolio:
    Devices/Instrumentation - Research Tools and Materials

    For additional information, please contact:
    Leopold J. Luberecki, Jr., J.D.
    Office of Technology Transfer
    National Institutes of Health
    6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
    Rockville, MD 20852-3804
    Phone: 301/496-7735 ext 223
    Fax: 301/402-0220

    Recombinant DNA Clone Encoding Laminin Receptor

    Description of Invention:
    A recombinant DNA clone that encodes high-affinity cell surface receptors for laminin, a glycoprotein component of basement membranes, offers an important tool for studying a variety of normal and abnormal cell processes including tumor metastases. These laminin receptors have been shown to inhibit metastases. These recombinant receptors can be used in diagnostic methods, to assess the content of laminin receptor mRNA, and to determine the pattern of laminin receptor genes in different tissue and tumor cell populations.

    Inventors:
    ME Sobel, LA Liotta, UM Wewer, MC Jaye, WN Drohan (NCI)

    Patent Status:
    Serial No. 06/911,863 filed 26 Sep 86, which issued as U.S. Patent No. 4,861,710 on 29 Aug 89

    Portfolios:
    Cancer - Research Materials
    Cancer - Diagnostics, Mab based

    For additional information, please contact:
    Raphe Kantor, Ph.D.
    Office of Technology Transfer
    National Institutes of Health
    6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
    Rockville, MD 20852-3804
    Phone: 301/496-7735 ext 247
    Fax: 301/402-0220

    Immunotoxin (MAB-RICIN) For The Treatment Of Focal Movement Disorders

    Description of Invention:
    This invention describes the use of an immunotoxin designed to treat focal dystonias that are currently being treated by injections of botulinum toxin (BTX) or by surgical myectomy. The immunotoxin (ITX) is prepared from a monoclonal antibody (MoAb35), specific to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in skeletal muscle, and is covalently linked to the toxin, ricin. ITX utilizes ricin's alpha chain and beta chain for its improved potency. ITX's potency was demonstrated by intramuscular injections into a rat model. The effects of intermuscular injections of ITX were compared to that of BTX. Even lower doses of ITX proved more effective and longer lasting than BTX in weakening muscle. The ITX selectively removed muscle fiber at the injection sites. It is believed that ITX may have clinical applications to those patients who have become refractory to BTX, or when used in combination or in place of BTX. In addition to the use of ITX in the treatment of all focal muscular spasms, ITX may prove useful in the treatment of other disorders of muscular spasms such as blepharospasms, cervical dystonia, hand dystonia, limb dystonia, hemifacial spasm, bruxism, strabismus, VI nerve palsy, for spasmodic, dysphonia, and oromandibular dystonia.

    Inventors:
    J Hott, R Youle, M Hallet, M Dalakas (NINDS)

    Patent Status:
    Serial No. 60/027,458 filed 19 Sep 96

    Portfolios:
    Central Nervous System - Therapeutics, neurological, other
    Central Nervous System - Therapeutics, neurological, muscle relaxants
    Internal Medicine - Therapeutics, other

    For additional information, please contact:
    Stephen Finley, Ph.D.
    Office of Technology Transfer
    National Institutes of Health
    6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
    Rockville, MD 20852-3804
    Phone: 301/496-7735 ext 215
    Fax: 301/402-0220

    Hepatitis B Core Antigen Fusion Proteins As Tumor Vaccines

    Description of Invention:
    Hepatitis B Core Antigen (HBcAg) represents a potentially potent carrier of vaccines. Embodied in this invention are a number of fusion proteins of HBcAg. It has been shown that HBcAg elicits a strong immune response, and it was thought that if one were to attach other weakly antigenic peptides of choice to the HBcAg protein, in order to form a fusion protein, the antigenicity of the attached peptide of choice would be considerably enhanced. The fusion proteins embodied in this invention, which contain specific H-ras or MUC-1 (human epithelial cell mucin) peptides, have been shown to elicit protective anti-tumor immunity in vivo. This immunity is, in fact, superior to that elicited through immunizing with tumor antigen alone. These HBcAg fusion proteins, therefore, are believed to represent powerful new vaccines to be used toward the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of cancers.

    Inventors:
    LW Kwak, A Biragyn (NCI)

    Patent Status:
    Serial No. 60/013,839 filed 21 Mar 96

    Portfolios:
    Cancer - Therapeutics, immunoconjugates, Mab
    Cancer - Therapeutics, immunoconjugates, conjugate chemistry
    Cancer - Therapeutics, immunomodulators and immunostimulants

    For additional information, please contact:
    Joseph Contrera, M.S., J.D.
    Office of Technology Transfer
    National Institutes of Health
    6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
    Rockville, MD 20852-3804
    Phone: 301/496-7056 ext 244
    Fax: 301/402-0220

    Conformationally Locked Nucleoside Analogs
    VE Marquez, JB Rodriguez, MC Nicklaus, JJ Barchi Jr, MA Siddiqui (NCI)
    Serial Number 08/311,425 filed 23 Sep 94 (with priority to 24 Sep 93)
    and
    Conformationally Locked Nucleoside Analogs As Antiherpetic Agents
    VE Marquez, MC Nicklaus, JJ Barchi Jr, JB Rodriguez, MA Siddiqui (NCI)
    Serial Number 60/023,565 filed 07 Aug 96

    Description of Inventions:
    These inventions concern novel nucleoside analogs comprising carbocyclic-4',6'-cyclopropane-fused-2',3'- derivatives of ribo, deoxyribo and dideoxyribo purines and pyrimidines, and the corresponding nucleotides. The first patent application describes an anti-HIV utility. It has been foreign filed as PCT/US94/10794. The second application describes a new utility of the deoxyribo derivatives of the first application, namely as anti-Herpes Virus agents. The thymidine analog, in particular, showed good activity against Herpes Simplex Type 1 and Herpes Simplex Type 2 viruses, and Epstein-Barr virus as shown in an in vitro assay. It showed better antiherpes activity than acyclovir in a plaque reduction assay.

    Recent Revelant Publications:
    - Rodriguez et al., Tetrahedron Letters 34: 6233-6236, 1993
    - Rodriguez et al., J. Medicinal Chemistry 37: 3389- 3399, 1994
    - Siddiqui et al., Nucleosides Nucleotides 15: 235-250, 1996
    - Marquez et al., J. Medicinal Chemistry 39: 3739-3747, 1996

    Portfolio:
    Infectious Diseases - Therapeutics, anti-virals, AIDS

    For additional information, please contact:
    Robert Benson, Ph.D.
    Office of Technology Transfer
    National Institutes of Health
    6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
    Rockville, MD 20852-3804
    Phone: 301/496-7056 ext 267
    Fax: 301/402-0220

    Substantially Pure Non-IL-2 T-Cell Growth Factors

    Description of Invention:
    The invention provides isolated interleukin-T in human form, along with the methods for isolating the interleukin, and its respective non-IL-2 T-Cell growth factor and antibodies.

    T cells play both regulatory and effector functions in human immune responses that are often mediated by interleukins. Interleukins are highly redundant and pleitrophic, controlling a wide range of functions. Abnormalities of interleukin and interleukin receptor systems are observed with a broad array of human diseases, including the forms of leukemia and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis that are caused by human T-cell lymphotropic virus-I. Thus, the invention could be used to treat a disorder associated with immune function, such as cancer, AIDS or other immunodeficiencies, by enhancing the immune system or, in treating an immune disorder, such as graft-versus-host disease, leukemia, lymphoma or an allograft rejection, by suppressing the immune system.

    Inventors:
    TA Waldmann, R Bamford, E Roessler, CK Goldman, G Szakiel, JD Burton, C Peters, AJ Grant, J Brennan, M Moos (NCI)

    Patent Status:
    Serial No. 08/572,423 filed 14 Dec 95

    Portfolios:
    Internal Medicine - Therapeutics, anti-inflammatory
    Cancer - Therapeutics, biological response modifiers, growth factors

    For additional information, please contact:
    Jaconda Wagner, J.D.
    Office of Technology Transfer
    National Institutes of Health
    6011 Executive Boulevard, Suite 325
    Rockville, MD 20852-3804
    Phone: 301/496-7735 ext 284
    Fax: 301/402-0220