Radiolabeled Molecular Probe Will Evaluate Cancer Treatments

A family of small molecules was designed to bind to cancer cells undergoing apoptosis, or the process of cell death, as a result of chemotherapy treatment. This early-stage apoptosis detection technology has the potential for broad application across a wide array of solid tumor cancers.

According to data from the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer, there are approximately 11 million new cases of cancer worldwide each year. In addition to helping doctors assess therapeutic responses non-invasively, this apoptosis technology would support the movement toward personalized or targeted therapies based on a patient's specific needs.

The apoptosis technology was invented by Prof. Philip Hogg, who is a co-director of the Lowy Cancer Research Center (Sydney, Australia). "This discovery stems from more than 10 years of research focused on the design of molecular probes to study cellular processes, said Prof. Hogg. "These molecules are uniquely designed to attach to proteins inside cells undergoing apoptosis driven by chemotherapy.”

NewSouth Innovations Pty Limited, the technology transfer arm of University of New South Wales (UNSW; Sydney, Australia), and Covidien Imaging Solutions, Ltd. (St. Louis; MI, USA; www.covidien.com) have signed a license agreement to develop an innovative, radiolabeled, molecular imaging agent for evaluating the efficacy of cancer treatments. Under the exclusive, worldwide agreement, Covidien Imaging Solutions has product development and commercialization rights for the apoptosis technology, which will assist oncologists in determining the effectiveness of treatment and the necessity for other therapeutic measures.

In addition, pharmaceutical companies could use the apoptosis technology to evaluate new products for cancer treatment. Apoptosis-detecting imaging agents may also have applications outside of cancer, such as in neurologic and cardiac disease following strokes and heart attacks.


Related Links:
University of New South Wales
Covidien Imaging Solutions