Recent Patents Relating to Tumor Suppressor Genes

Abstract

Researchers in the field of tumor suppressor genes are actively attempting to discover new tumor suppressor genes and/or characterize known tumor suppressor genes with the intention of treating and diagnosing cancers. A number of recent patents and patent applications have been published that discuss some of these discoveries. Some of the patents and patent applications discuss newly discovered tumor suppressor genes, including WW Domain-Containing Oxidoreductase (WWOX), Cancer Associated Ring-1 (CAR-1), Human Cervical Cancer Suppressor 1 (HCCS-1), Src-suppressed C kinase substrate (SSeCKS), ADP-Ribosylation factor-like putative Tumor Suppressor gene 1 (ARTS1), and Deleted in Osteosarcoma (DOS). One recent patent describes the discovery that known caspase family member caspase-8 (CASP8) is a tumor suppressor. Another recent patent describes the use of Wilms Tumor suppressor gene (WT1) peptides as a cancer vaccine. In addition, Sakai et al. received a patent describing a fragment of the p51 tumor suppressor gene containing a promoter region, which is useful for identifying compounds that modulate p51 activity. Another patent application recently published describes a chimeric tumor suppressor gene generated by combining a portion of the rat PEG-3 protein with the human GADD34 protein, thus creating a protein with apoptotic activity. These patents and patent applications provide valuable information that may be useful in fighting cancer by focusing on tumor suppressor gene activities.

Changes in Activities of Caspase-8 and Caspase-9 in Human Cervical Malignancy

“…It is remarkable that there is a recent patent describing the discovery of caspase-8 as a tumor suppressor. 22 Silencing of caspase-8 expression by hypermethylation of the caspase-8 gene has been detected in many cancer types, including several pediatric cancers and glioblastoma or lung carcinoma. 23Y25 Caspase-9, a key modulator of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway, presents various alterations in several types of cancer.…”

Recent Patents Relating to siRNAs and Therapeutic Strategies for Genetic Diseases

“…Donald [10] provided a method of treating cancer (for example, prostate cancer) by inhibiting expression of PAX2 through administration of a nucleic acid encoding a siRNA for this gene. For more information on recent patents relating to cancer genes see Derry and Chang [11], and for prospects of RNA interference therapy for cancer, see Pai et al [12].…”