{"id":"CU23280","slug":"tumor-selective-targeting-of--CU23280","source":{"id":"CU23280","dataset":"techtransfer","title":"Tumor-selective targeting of immunosuppressive Tregs for cancer treatment","description_":"<p>This technology identifies a subset of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) that can be targeted for cancer treatment.</p>\r\r<h2>Unmet Need: Targeted depletion of Tregs in the tumor microenvironment</h2>\r\r<p>Though the use of immunotherapies is expanding across several types of cancer, its efficacy is hampered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), regulatory T cells (Tregs) contribute to the immunosuppressive TME that is resistant to immunotherapy. There is a need to target these immunosuppressive Tregs to improve immunotherapy efficacy and enhance cancer treatment.</p>\r\r<h2>The Technology: Immunosuppressive Treg depletion for cancer treatment</h2>\r\r<p>This technology identifies αvβ5 integrin as a marker of Tregs that are highly immunosuppressive. These cells are enriched in PDAC tumors, but not the spleen, enabling selective targeting of tumor-infiltrating cells. These tumor-infiltrating Tregs are susceptible to the iRGD tumor-infiltrating peptide, resulting in a tumor-specific decrease in Tregs. This approach has the potential to enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade therapies in PDAC patients.</p>\r\r<p>This technology has been validated in human cell lines.</p>\r\r<h2>Applications:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li>Treatment for PDAC</li>\r<li>Treatment for improving immunotherapy efficacy in PDAC</li>\r<li>Modulation of tumor immune microenvironment</li>\r<li>Research tool for studying Treg function and tumor immunosuppression</li>\r</ul>\r\r<h2>Advantages:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li>Tumor-selective depletion of Treg </li>\r<li>Reduces immunosuppression in the TME</li>\r<li>Enhances efficacy of immunotherapies</li>\r</ul>\r\r<h2>Lead Inventor:</h2>\r\r<p><a href=\"https://columbiasurgery.org/kazuki-sugahara-md-phd\">Kazuki Sugahara, M.D., Ph.D.</a></p>\r\r<h2>Patent Information:</h2>\r\r<p>Patent Pending (US20260069694)</p>\r\r<h2>Related Publications:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li><a href=\"https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0331564\">Miyamura N, Yamazaki CM, Anami Y, Tsuchikama K, Sugahara KN. “A cytotoxic peptide-drug conjugate for tumor-specific delivery of co-injected molecules.” PLOS One. 2025 Sep 2; 20(9).</a></li>\r</ul>\r\r<h2>Tech Ventures Reference:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li><p>IR CU23280</p></li>\r<li><p>Licensing Contact: <a href=\"mailto:techtransfer@columbia.edu\">Jerry Kokoshka</a></p></li>\r</ul>\r","tags":["Cancer immunotherapy","Cytotoxicity","Immunosuppression","Immunotherapy","Integrin","Pancreatic cancer","Peptide","Regulatory T cell","Spleen","Tumor microenvironment"],"file_number":"CU23280","collections":[],"meta_description":"Tumor-selective depletion of immunosuppressive Tregs via αvβ5 marker and iRGD peptide to boost PDAC immunotherapy.\n\n","apriori_judge_output":"{\"scores\":{\"novelty\":4.0,\"potential_impact\":4.0,\"readiness\":3.0,\"scalability\":2.0,\"timeliness\":3.0},\"weighted_score\":3.2,\"risks\":[\"Preclinical validation in cell lines only; in vivo efficacy and safety not shown\",\"Complexity of selective depletion in humans; potential off-target effects\",\"Manufacturing/ delivery challenges for peptide-based therapeutics\",\"Regulatory path for tumor-targeted immunomodulation; potential immune-related adverse events\"],\"one_sentence_take\":\"Innovative tumor-specific Treg targeting via αvβ5 and iRGD shows strong novelty and potential impact but is still early (cell-based) with notable translational, manufacturing, and regulatory uncertainties.\"}","inventors":["Kazuki N. Sugahara","Kodai Suzuki","Norio Miyamura","Yuki Kunisada"],"manager":"Jerry Kokoshka","depts":["Surgery"],"divs":["Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC)"],"date_released":"2026-04-17"},"highlight":{},"matched_queries":null,"score":0.0}