Ligands for Alpha-4-Beta-1 Integrin

Abstract

Alpha-4 beta-1 ligands as targeting agents for cancer and autoimmune diseases

Full Description

Highly potent ligands for activated alpha-4 beta-1 integrin have been identified by University of California, Davis researchers. These ligands can potentially be used as targeting agents for cancer as well as anti-inflammatory agents for autoimmune diseases.

Notable applications of these alpha-4 beta-1 ligands include:

• Targeting therapy for imaging of cancers including lymphoid malignancies, which have high level of activated alpha-4 beta-1 integrin on the cell surface;
• Therapeutic uses as anti-inflammatory agents for autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus; and,
• Treatment of both human and dog diseases listed above.

The compounds for activated alpha-4 beta-1 integrin of the present invention have high affinity to human malignant lymphoid cells (both T- and B-cells, and including fresh malignant cells from patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia). Importantly, the binding affinities of these ligands are much higher than products currently developed.

Related Materials

• Peng L, Liu R, Marik J, Wang X, Takada Y and Lam KS. 2006. "Combinatorial chemistry identifies high-affinity peptidomimetics against alpha(4)beta(1) integrin for in vivo tumor imaging." Nat Chem Biol. 2(7):381-9.
• UC DAVIS RESEARCHERS REPORT NEW MOLECULE THAT TARGETS LEUKEMIA AND LYMPHOMA CELLS

Patent Status