Irofulven and Novel Derivatives for Cancer Treatment

Tech ID: 22048 / UC Case 2005-D37-0

Background

In randomized Phase II clinical trials, the IND-approved drug, irofulven, produced a significant increase in both median lifespan and landmark survival rate in patients with taxane-refractory prostate cancer when compared to the patient population receiving the standard chemotherapy regimen for this disease. In contrast, other experimental agents for prostate cancer (OGX-11, Provenge) have not been effective against this form of prostate cancer. Furthermore, manageable toxicity in this refractory and difficult-to-treat, elderly patient population puts irofulven as the lead in a pipeline of analogs and derivatives, which are at various stages of development.

Technology Description

In a continuing effort to improve target and site selectivity, UC San Diego researchers have synthesized numerous, novel derivatives of the acylfulvene, irofulven. Irofulven has progressed through Phase II clinical trials and newer compositions have been assessed in terms of pre-clinical, in vivo efficacy, structure–activity correlations, and mechanism of action.

Applications

  • Treatment of taxane-refractory prostate cancer.
  • NCEs for treatment of other solid tumors, including hepatoma, colorectal, endometrial cancer, sarcoma, and thyroid cancer.
  • Demonstrated activity as monotherapy and in-combination therapy with other agents, including cisplatin, capecitabine, prednisone, and oxaliplatin.

Advantages

  • Parent compound, irofulven, safe in numerous clinical trials for various indications.
  • Validated leads for follow-on INDs supported by xenograft data.
  • Improved therapeutic window for new derivatives (preclinical validation).
  • Improved bio-stability and reduced reactivity with thiols.
  • Ease of synthesis.
  • Extensive portfolio of patents, claiming compositions of matter and methods of use, in U.S., Europe, and worldwide.

State Of Development

In vivo studies in a demanding, murine xenograft model of metastatic lung carcinoma identify several analogs that induce tumor shrinkage at doses that are non-toxic to the animal. In vitro experiments show increased target specificity and reduced cytotoxicity to non-target cells.

Intellectual Property Info

Published U.S. patent/applications include 20080306147, 7,629,380, 7,141,603, 6,987,193, 6,908,918, 6,855,696, 6,717,017, 6,639,105, 6,548,679, 6,469,184, 6,380,403, 6,323,181, 6,252,093, 6,160,184, 5,932,553, 5,723,632.

Patent Status

Country Type Number Dated Case
United States Of America Issued Patent 7,713,939 05/11/2010 1996-D35
United States Of America Issued Patent 7,655,695 02/02/2010 2005-D37
United States Of America Issued Patent 7,629,380 12/08/2009 1998-C59
United States Of America Issued Patent 7,141,603 11/28/2006 1998-C59
United States Of America Issued Patent 6,987,193 01/17/2006 1996-D35
United States Of America Issued Patent 6,855,696 02/15/2005 1998-C59
United States Of America Issued Patent 6,639,105 10/28/2003 1996-D35
United States Of America Issued Patent 6,548,679 04/15/2003 1998-C59
United States Of America Issued Patent 6,469,184 10/22/2002 1996-C68
United States Of America Issued Patent 6,380,403 04/30/2002 1996-D35
United States Of America Issued Patent 6,160,184 12/12/2000 1996-C68
United States Of America Issued Patent 5,932,553 08/03/1999 1996-D35
United States Of America Issued Patent 5,723,632 03/03/1998 1996-C68
United States Of America Issued Patent 5,523,490 06/04/1996 1988-B96
 

Related Materials

Other Information

Categorized As

Related cases

2005-D37-0, 1998-C59-0, 1996-D35-0, 1988-B96-0, 1996-C68-0

Keywords

acylfulvene, analog, Illudin, oncology, prostate, solid tumors, tumor, NCE, new chemical entity, composition of matter, combination, cisplatin, capecitabine, prednisone, oxaliplatin, taxane-refractory,, methods of use, synthesis, therapeutic, hepatoma, colorectal, endometrial cancer, sarcoma, thyroid cancer

Contact

University of California, San Diego Technology Transfer Office / invent@ucsd.edu / tel: View Phone Number. Please reference Tech ID #22048.

University of California, San Diego
Technology Transfer Office

9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0910, La Jolla, CA 92093-0910 | invent.ucsd.edu
Tel: 858.534.5815 | Fax: 858.534.7345 | invent@ucsd.edu