Although advances have been made in detection and therapy of these diseases, no universally successful method for prevention or treatment is currently available. Current therapies, which are generally based on a combination of surgery and radiation or chemotherapy, continue to prove inadequate in many patients.

INNOVATION:  UCLA scientists have discovered a new glioma-associated protein, Granulin, which is overexpressed in brain tumor cells. Granulin provides a novel target for treatment and detection of brain cancer. Using both in vitro and in vivo techniques, it has been demonstrated that antibodies directed against Granulin are effective in inhibiting proliferation of cancer cells derived from human glioblastoma tumors. This invention provides Granulin-related molecules as diagnostic and therapeutic agents for the detection, monitoring and treatment of human brain cancer.

POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS 

• Treatment of cancers overexpressing Granulin
• Detection and monitoring of cancers overexpressing Granulin
• Cancer vaccines based on Granulin antigens

ADVANTAGES

• Validity of target has been demonstrated with antibodies
• Granulin D is differentially expressed in brain cancer cells compared to normal cells

Related Papers (Selected) Cancer Res. 2000 Mar 1;60(5):1353-60. Identification of a human glioma-associated growth factor gene, granulin, using differential immuno-absorption. more...

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2000-236

US Patent Nos.: 7,192,704 6,558,668