Curing Cancer by Unmasking Tumors and Suppressing Metabolic Profile

SLU ID 15-036 | LXR Inverse Agonists for Treating Cancer

Background

Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth that often spreads to other parts of the body. Reseachers have identified over 100 types of cancers that affect humans. Each year roughly 18 million new cases of cancer are diagnosed worldwide and about 15.7 percent of annual deaths are attributed to cancer. Rates of cancer have increased as people have lived longer and the developing world has changed its lifestyles. The options for treatment vary depending on the type, location, and grade of the cancer and include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, and molecularly targeted therapy. Many cancer treatments are not curative.

Overview

Researchers at Saint Louis University have discovered a novel class of LXR inverse agonist that show promise as a potential cure for cancer. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, researchers have demonstrated the anticancer activity of the compounds which suppress the metabolic profile of cancer cells. Moreover, the compounds have the ability to unmask tumors from the immune system. The compounds present a potential pharmacological treatment for various types of cancer that may be delivered orally as a small molecule drug rather than a biologic agent. The compounds also appear to lower cholesterol levels.

Benefits

The potential benefits of this technology include:

• Increasing the efficacy of cancer treatments

• Minimizing the toxicity of cancer treatments

• Minimizing the complexity of delivering cancer treatments

Applications

The potential applications of this technology include:

• Treating various types of cancers

• Treating atherosclerosis

Opportunity

Saint Louis University is seeking a partner to further develop and commercialize this technology.