Albumin-based drugs to induce apoptosis for treatment of blood malignancies, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.

Over 70,000 new cases of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL) were diagnosed in 2015 with nearly 20,000 people dying from the disease. Most NHL cases derive from B cell lymphocytes and are treated with rituximab and chemotherapy. However, nearly 40 percent of patients develop resistance to these therapies.

Research indicates the proposed albumin-based nanoconjugate can trigger direct and specific apoptosis of B-cell lymphomas without the help of effector cells. University of Utah researchers have developed a hybridization of two complementary morpholino oligonucleotides or complementary coiled-coil forming peptides at B cell surface that can mediate crosslinking of receptors to initiate apoptosis. One oligonucleotide (MORF1) or coiled-coil forming peptide (CCE) is bound to an antibody fragment recognized by the CD20 receptor (nanoconjugate 1) while the complementary oligonucleotide (MORF2) or oligonucleotide (CCK) is bound in multiple copies to human albumin.

Proof of Concept

• Increases intravascular half-life of the biocompatible nanoconjugate.
• Can be scalably synthesized in GMP environment.
• Alleviates the need for low molecular weight cytotoxic drugs.

Wu K, Yang J, Liu J, & Kopecek J. (2012). Coiled-coil based drug- free macromolecular therapeutics: In vivo efficacy. Journal of Controlled Release. 157:126-131. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.08.002

Publication Number: 2019-519610
Patent Title: Compositions and Methods for Using Albumin-Based Nanomedicines
Jurisdiction/Country: Japan
Application Type: Non-Provisional

Jason Young
(801) 587-0519
jason.r.young@utah.edu