Anti-tumorigenic Properties of Hypothalamic Proline Rich Polypeptide (PRP-1) in Human Chondrosarcomas
Karina Galoian, Sean Scully and Armen Galoyan
Problem
Chondrosarcoma, or cancer of the bone cartilage, is a difficult condition to treat with adjuvant therapies currently available. Although tumors can be removed surgically, the aim is to retain as much function as possible. The condition tends to be locally invasive, then metastatic, and is very painful to the patient.
Solution
PRP-1, a small molecule comprised of 15 amino acid residues, has been found to have a novel use in inactivating and abolishing myc-oncogene activity in human chondrosarcoma cells.
Competitive Advantage
At present, there is no effective adjuvant treatment for chondrosarcoma. In addition, since PRP-1 is naturally produced by cells in the body, it is expected to have fewer side effects than synthetic compounds being used as therapy.
Applications
Creation of new drug preparations including PRP-1 and its analogs as a therapeutic for chondrosarcoma and potentially for other malignancies.
Patent Status
International Patent Application No. PCT/US2009/030307 was filed on January 7, 2009, and WO 2009/091645 was published 23 July 2009.
Licensing Opportunity
We are seeking partnerships to commercialize the novel use of PRP-1 as a therapy for chondrosarcoma and possibly other malignancies.
About the Inventors
Karina Galoian, Ph.D. is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
Sean Scully, M.D., Ph.D. is a Professor and Chief of Joint Replacement in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
Armen Galoyan, Ph.D. is Head of the Neurohormones Biochemistry Department in the Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences, Republic of Armenia, Professor of Biochemistry at Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan, Armenia, and a full member of the International Academy of Sciences. He is President of the Armenian Biochemical Society of the National Academy of Sciences of Armenia. Dr. Galoyan was the first to identify PRP-1 and its unique, diverse properties.
Selected References
Galoian K, Scully S, McNamara G, Flynn P, Galoyan A. (2009). Antitumorigenic effect of brain Proline Rich Polypeptide-1 in human chondrosarcoma. Neurochemical Research, epub ahead of print
Galoian KA, Scully SP, Galoyan AA. (2009). Myc-oncogene inactivating effect by Proline Rich Polypeptide (PRP-1) in chondrosarcoma JJ012 cells. Neurochem Res. 34(2):379-385.
Galoyan AA. (2008). The brain immune system: chemistry and biology of the signal molecules. In: Handbook of Neurochemistry and Molecular Neurobiology, v.Neuroimmunology (eds. A. Galoyan, and H. Besedovsky), Chapter 7, pp.155-195.
Galoyan AA, Krieglstein J, Klumpp S, Danielian KE, Galoian KA, Kremers W, Bezirganyan KB, Davtyan TK (2007). Effect of hypothalamic proline-rich peptide (PRP-1) on neuronal and bone marrow cell apoptosis. Neurochem Res. 32(11):1898-905.
Galoyan AA. (2000). Neurochemistry of brain neuroendocrine immune system: signal molecules. Neurochem Res. 25(9/10):1343-1355.
Galoyan AA, Sarkissian JS, Chavushyan VA, et al. (2005). Neuroprotective action of hypothalamic peptide PRP-1 at various time survival following spinal cord hemisection. Neurochem Res. 30(4):507-525.
Galoyan AA. (2000). Neurochemistry of brain neuroendocrine immune system: signal molecules. Neurochem Res. 25(9/10):1343-1355.
Scully SP, Berend KR, Toth A, Qi WN, Qi Z, Block JA (2000). Marshall Urist Award. Interstitial collagenase gene expression correlates with in vitro invasion in human chondrosarcoma. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 376:291-303.
