This technology consists of small molecule inhibitors of ATAD2 to prevent metastasis of prostate and other cancers.
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in men, mainly due to metastatic disease. There is a great need for inhibitors of metastasis; however, much is still unknown about the mechanisms whereby localized tumors are able to metastasize to distant sites. The ATAD2 gene is known to be associated with several types of metastatic cancer, and the ATAD2 protein contains a bromodomain which is an attractive target for small molecule inhibitors. However, to date, effective inhibitors have not been successfully generated.
This technology identifies ATAD2 overexpression as a biomarker of metastatic prostate cancer and high-risk localized prostate cancer. Importantly, it has been demonstrated that inhibition of ATAD2 prevents metastasis and delays tumor growth in bone. Preliminary in vivo data have identified various small molecule inhibitors of the ATAD2 bromodomain, which can be further developed and optimized for potency and selectivity. This technology has applications in prostate cancer diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as other metastatic cancers linked to ATAD2 overexpression.
This technology has been validated using humanized, in vivo mouse models of prostate cancer.
Patent Pending
IR CU20180
Licensing Contact: Joan Martinez