WARF TECHNOLOGIES

Syndecans, a highly conserved family of four transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans, bind a variety of extracellular matrix ligands, including fibronectin, laminin and vitronectin. Syndecan-1 serves as an important regulator of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins, which in turn, are key regulators of adhesion and signaling in numerous biological processes, including cell migration, metastasis and angiogenesis.

UW–Madison researchers have developed a method of using a novel peptide from the extracellular domain of syndecan-1 to inhibit angiogenesis. The peptide interferes with the formation of new blood vessels by blocking the activation of αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrins. Recent in vivo mouse data shows that this peptide successfully inhibits angiogenesis and reduces tumor size without adverse side effects.

• Treatment of cancer and other diseases characterized by angiogenesis, including atherosclerosis, diabetic retinopathy, pyogenic granulomas, psoriasis, endometriosis, pre-eclampsia and rheumatoid arthritis

• Highly specific and potent
• Because inhibiting αvβ3 and αvβ5 integrin activation results in the inhibition of cell adhesion, migration, metastasis, survival and/or proliferation, in addition to angiogenesis, this peptide is useful in the treatment of cancer.

For More Information About the Inventors

• Alan Rapraeger

Related Intellectual Property

• View Divisional Patent in PDF format.
• View Continuation Patent in PDF format.

Tech Fields

• Therapeutics & Vaccines : Oncology