Israeli–German cell-death induction ready for commercialisation

Technology for commercialisation

A joint Israeli/German research team has discovered a new targeted approach to treating malignant brain tumours by inducing the process of apoptosis, or programmed cell death. The technology is now ready for commercialisation and a start-up has been formed to begin the process.

A new method for targeting malignant brain tumours through inducing the cancerous cells to “commit suicide” has been developed by a team of researchers headed by a Hebrew University of Jerusalem professor of biochemistry.

Alexander Levitzki, professor of biochemistry, and Alexei Shir, of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, worked with colleagues from the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich, Germany, to pioneer a technique using double-stranded RNA to target epidermal growth factor receptors on the surface of tumour cells.

The proliferation of EGFR is typical of certain types of cancer cells, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most lethal form of brain cancer.

The constructs acts as a “guided missile,” says Levitzki. When injected into the blood stream, it attaches to multiple EGF receptors on the cancer cells, then releases its payload, which initiates apoptosis. Normal cells, which possess far fewer EGF receptors, are spared.

The lethal RNA approach has been applied to mouse models where it was 100 per cent effective in eliminating the tumours.

Further testing is now planned in a clinical setting. In the meantime, a small start-up company, Algen Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., has been established through the Hebrew University’s Yissum Technology Transfer Company to initiate commercial development of the new drug. The technique is relevant to all other cancers that over express EGF.