Alethia Biotherapeutics has gained US patent for methods of treating carcinomas with antibodies targeting the region of secreted clusterin (sCLU) responsible for promoting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
The company along with the National Research Council Canada have identified the potential of sCLU in inducing EMT.
EMT mechanism plays a key role in tumor invasion and metastasis.
Alethia president and CEO Yves Cornellier said, "The issuance of this patent broadens our intellectual property estate for the treatment of solid tumors in which sCLU induces EMT."
Alethia chief scientific officer Dr. Mario Filion said antibodies targeting a specific epitope in the carboxy-terminal portion of sCLU inhibit the ability of the protein to induce EMT.
"The lead monoclonal antibody in this program, AB-16B5, causes an increase in responsiveness of tumors to chemotherapy and reduces the growth and invasion of the tumors," Filion added.
