Selective Treatment of Cancer Cells, HIV and Other RNA Viruses

The National Cancer Institute seeks parties interested in collaborative research to co-develop therapeutic RNA switches.Targeted therapy in cancer or viral infections is a challenge because the disease state manifests itself mainly through differences in the cell interior, for example in a form of the presence of a certain RNA or protein in the cytoplasm.This technology, developed at the NCINanobiology Program, consists of designed RNA switches that activate the RNA interference pathway only in the presence of a trigger RNA or DNA to which they bind, in order to knock down a chosen gene that is not necessarily related to the initial trigger.A new approach may lead to a new type of drug that has the unique feature of selectively causing a biochemical effect (such as apoptosis) in cells that are infected by RNA viruses (such as HIV), as well as cancer cells. The RNA switch concept can be expanded to selectively treat other genetically related diseases.IC: NCINIH Ref. No.: E-038-2012Advantages: Fewer side effects because the therapeutic RNA-interference pathway is only activated by the RNA switch when it is intact and in its active conformation.Selectively kills cells infected by RNA virusesContains a minimal number of single stranded nucleotides, thus minimizing the effects of nucleasesApplications: Targeted therapeutic for viral infections, cancer stem cells, and genetically related diseasesResearch tool to study cancer or viral infectionDevelopment Status:...
Source: NIH OTT Licensing Opportunities - Category: Research Authors: Source Type: research