Lead Inventor:
Joyce W. Lustbader, Ph.D.
Ovarian Cancer Survival Rates Currently Very Poor:
Survival rates for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer are very poor. With most patients diagnosed after the tumor has metastasized, non-responsiveness to chemotherapy further confounds treatment. There is a major need for therapeutic agents that specifically inhibit growth of ovarian tumors.
Chemotherapy Combined with Human Hormone Antagonist Could Improve Survival Rates:
The present invention comprises of recombinant human follicle stimulating hormone antagonist (rFSH-Ant) in which one or more N-glycosylation sites is disrupted. rFSH-Ant binds to the FSH receptor without activating it, thereby acting as a competitive antagonist of FSH. Combining chemotherapy with rFSH-Ant in tumors, such as ovarian epithelial cancer, that secrete or respond to FSH could improve therapeutic outcome.
Applications:
• Therapy for cancers that secrete or respond to FSH, such as epithelial ovarian cancer.
• Contraceptive
• Treatment for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).
Advantages:
• This antagonist is a competitive inhibitor of the FSH receptor.
• rFSH-Ant can be produced using standard molecular biology and recombinant protein technologies.
• May be administered by a variety of routes, including intravenously, orally, locally and transdermally.
Patent Status: Copyright
Licensing Status: Available for Licensing and Sponsored Research Support.
Publications: Ruman JI, Pollak S, Trousdale RK, Klein J, Lustbader JW. Effects of long-acting recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone analogs containing N-linked glycosylation on murine folliculogenesis.
Fertil Steril. 2005;83S1:1303-9