Novel Antagonistic Analogs of GH-RH for Cancer Treatment
Andrew Schally, Jozsef Varga, Marta Zarandi and Ren-Zhi Cai
Problem
Cancer is difficult to treat and the current therapies have a variety of untoward side effects. In many cases of disease progression, tumor growth is often the cause of morbidity and mortality.
Solution
Novel synthetic analogs of GH-RH antagonists have been shown to inhibit the release of growth hormone from the pituitary in mammals as well as inhibit the proliferation of various human cancers through a direct effect on the cancer cells. These compounds represent a new anti-growth factor therapy for cancer with little of no side-effects, and are effective in far lower doses (50-fold less) than other anti-growth factor therapeutics of this class used in clinical practice today.
Competitive Advantage
Current therapies for cancer are not satisfactory and new therapeutic agents are needed to develop more effective and/or less toxic therapeutic regimens. Because GH-RH antagonists are devoid or relatively free of side-effects, the new therapy should be superior to other existing therapies for cancer. Also, GH-RH antagonists may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in combination regimens.
Applications
The most potent GH-RH antagonists of the present invention will be selected for clinical development. After toxicological and clinical efficacy studies, a GH-RH antagonist drug may be put on the pharmaceutical market.
Patent Status
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2009/38351 was filed on March 26, 2009.
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking partnerships to commercialize a novel and effective approach to treat cancer, with minimal side effects.
About the Inventors
Andrew Schally, M.D., Ph.D., is a Distinguished Leonard M. Miller Professor of Pathology and Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology in Department of Medicine at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine. Dr. Schally was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1977. He is a world leader in targeting hormone-related cancers and is largely responsible for the field of hormone ablation for the treatment of prostate and other cancers. Dr. Schally is also Chief, Endocrine, Polypeptide Cancer Institute at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Miami, Florida and Distinguished Medical Research Scientist, US Department of Veterans Affairs.
Dr. Jozsef Varga is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Marta Zarandi is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Pathology at the Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Ren-Zhi Cai is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology at the Miller School of Medicine.
Selected References
Schally AV, Varga JL. Antagonists of growth hormone-releasing hormone in oncology. Comb Chem High Throughput Screening. 2006, 9:163-170.
