Columbia Technology Ventures

Retinoid signaling inverse agonist as a treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma

This technology is a targeted anti-tumor agent designed to treat adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) by utilizing retinoid receptor modulation to promote cancer cell differentiation and selective cell death.

Unmet Need: Effective therapeutic for adenoid cystic carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive cancer of the salivary glands. ACCs often metastasize, and 60% of patients affected die within 15 years of their initial diagnosis. There are currently no FDA-approved systemic or targeted therapies for treating ACC.

The Technology: Anti-tumor agent for adenoid cystic carcinoma treatment

This technology employs both direct and inverse agonists of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR) signaling to modify the composition of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) tumors, causing aggressive myoepithelial-like cells to differentiate into less tumorigenic ductal-like cells. These ductal-like cells can then be killed using inverse agonists of RAR/RXR signaling, with or without other forms of treatment.

This technology has been validated with patient-derived human cancer cell lines and three-dimensional organoids.

Applications:

  • Treatment for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and other epithelial carcinomas
  • Research tool for studying cell differentiation and tumorigenesis
  • Adjuvant therapy for radiation and chemotherapy
  • Preclinical model for testing combination therapies
  • Platform for drug discovery
  • Precision medicine treatments for ACC patients

Advantages:

  • Cytotoxic therapeutic targeted for adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC)
  • Enhances the efficacy of radiation and chemotherapy
  • Selectively toxic against ductal-like cancer cells
  • Lower systemic toxicity
  • Mechanism-based approach to overcome drug resistance

Lead Inventor:

Piero D. Dalerba, M.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Issued (US 12,115,140)

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference:

  • IR CU20036, CU21018, CU21357, CU23276

  • Licensing Contact: Sara Gusik