BACKGROUND:  Over 200,000 new cases of prostate cancer are reported a year in the US alone. Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has been identified as a valuable biomarker for prostate cancer cells and is associated with cells from high-grade tumors and metastases and not normal prostate tissue. Antibodies against PSMA have shown high specificity for prostate cancer cells in vitro and have reduced prostate tumor size in mouse models. Human versions of anti-PSMA antibodies have also been developed and are currently undergoing clinical trials.

Due to problems with delivery of anti-PSMA antibodies to PSMA-expressing tissue, however, the therapeutic value of such antibodies will be limited. An approach that alleviates this problem of availability will be necessary to realize the full potential of anti-PSMA antibodies in treating prostate cancer.

INNOVATION:   UCLA researchers have developed a novel method for altering the sub-cellular trafficking of PSMA in prostate cancer cells. The implementation of these methods results in increased levels of PSMA antigen available to be bound by anti-PSMA antibodies.

APPLICATIONS:   The effectiveness of antibody therapy against PSMA could be dramatically improved utilizing this technology. Additionally, with human trials underway, the addition of this new technology should greatly improve prostate cancer patient outcome.

UCLA researchers are also currently exploring the use of this method to improve the efficacy of certain other immunological-based cancer therapies.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 2004-435

PCT Application: PCT/US05/020983