A technology related to using antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced immune cells that selectively targets Ly6 family of proteins overexpressed in cancer cells and has the potential to be effective in treating ovarian, colorectal, gastric, breast, and lung cancer without off-target effects. This HJF technology is available for licensing and/collaboration opportunities.

Applications and Advantages

• Cancer therapeutics using antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced immune cells.
• Ly6K is not required for vital organ function, thus inhibition of Ly6K signaling is believed to have no off-target effects.
• Currently there are no approved treatments for cancer that specifically target Ly6.

Innovation Description

Increased expression of cell-surface Lymphocyte Antigen 6 (Ly6) family proteins Ly6D, Ly6E, Ly6K and Ly6H are associated with poor survival in ovarian, colorectal, gastric, breast, and lung cancer. A cumulative effect of Ly6 downstream pathways may lead to increased aggressiveness of cancer cells and poor survival outcome. The tumor-specific expression of Ly6 proteins indicates that Ly6 is a potential therapeutic target for cancer immunotherapy, however, currently there are no treatments for cancer that specifically targets Ly6.

Scientists at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) have developed antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) transduced immune cells that target Ly6 family of proteins like Ly6D, Ly6E, Ly6K, or Ly6H. Blockage of Ly6 using these antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, or the Ly6 CAR-expressing immune cell can induce T cell activation and stimulate cellular immunity in the body. These antibodies bind to the Ly6 proteins on the cell surface and neutralize their function, and therefore are useful in the treatment of cancers. The Ly6 antibodies when conjugated with drugs can increase the bioavailability of drugs to cancer cells and increase efficacy of the drug. The Ly6 CAR-expressing immune cells can kill cancer cells expressing Ly6 without the need for HLA matching.

Inventors

• Geeta Upadhyay, Ph.D., USUHS

Innovation Status

In vitro and in vivo data available.

Intellectual Property Status

A PCT patent application has been filed.

In vivo anti-tumor activity of LY6K CAR T cells
against a tumor xenograft model. Arrow mark
denotes CAR T cell injection (IV).