This technology is an approach to treating adenocarcinomas that targets retinoic acid receptor/retinoid X receptor signaling to either block myoepithelial-to-ductal differentiation or selectively reduce the viability of ductal-like tumor cells.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a lethal and aggressive malignancy of the secretory glands, characterized by local invasion, perineural spread, and frequent distant metastasis. There are currently no approved medical treatments, and the standard of care relies primarily on surgical resection of primary tumors, sometimes followed by radiation therapy to prevent local recurrence. While these approaches can control localized disease, they are often insufficient for recurrent, unresectable, or metastatic cases, do not address the underlying molecular drivers of the disease, and cause significant morbidity, particularly in the craniofacial region. Thus, there is a critical need for effective systemic, targeted therapies that can extend survival, improve long-term disease control, and reduce treatment-related harm.
This technology is a strategy for treating adenocarcinomas that targets aggressive adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) by modulating retinoic acid receptor/retinoid X receptor (RAR/RXR) signaling. The approach first identifies specific ACC cell populations using surface markers, distinguishing more aggressive myoepithelial-like cells from ductal-like cells. It can then modulate tumor composition by using RAR/RXR agonists to drive the myoepithelial-like cells toward a ductal-like state. Once cells have adopted a ductal-like phenotype, they become vulnerable to RAR/RXR inverse agonists, which selectively kill them.
This technology has been validated in patient-derived xenografts of human AACs and in vivo models.
Piero D. Dalerba, M.D.
Patent Pending (US20260034081)
IR CU23276
Licensing Contact: Kristin Neuman
