Targeting B Cells in Prostate Cancer

Technology Description

This invention features methods to reduce androgen-independent prostate cancer. Currently, the most common way to treat primary non-metastatic prostate cancer entails treatment with anti-androgen drugs. In addition, surgical removal or radioablation are also practiced. While these procedures are effective, a major problem is the re-emergence of androgen independent cancer a few years later. Thus, what are needed are methods to reduce (including delay and/or complete inhibition of) the re-emergence of hormone resistant cancer.

The inventors have demonstrated in mouse models that B cells remain in the tumor environment, even after castration. These B cells have been shown to assist in the re-emergence of the tumor. In vitro, the same phenomenon has been observed in 90 percent of the samples obtained from humans with malignant prostate cancer. By removing the B cell population, re-emergence of disease is significantly delayed. To older men (the most likely patient population to get prostate cancer), the delay of several years to re-emergence could be considered significant.

State Of Development

A patent application has been filed on this technology.

Related Materials

• Ammirante M, Luo JL, Grivennikov S, Nedospasov S, Karin M. (2010) B-Cell-Derived Lymphotoxin Promotes Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Nature ;464(7286):302-5.

Patent Status