An anti-mesothelin antibody of human origin has been generated; it has the ability to efficiently recognize mesothelin on the surface of cells, and induce ADCC in mesothelin-positive cells.

Mesothelin is a cell surface protein that is naturally expressed at very low levels.  However, the expression of mesothelin is significantly increased in aggressive tumors, such as mesotheliomas and pancreatic and ovarian tumors.  As a result, mesothelin is an excellent candidate for tumor targeted immunotherapeutics.

 

Currently, the only antibodies against mesothelin that are available for clinical trials are of murine origin.  These antibodies have the potential to elicit immune responses in patients, which may adversely affect the ability to provide patients with repeated doses.  As a result, the clinical application of the antibodies may be limited.

 

In order to address the issue of immunogenicity in patients, NIH inventors have generated an anti-mesothelin antibody of human origin.  The antibody has the ability to efficiently recognize mesothelin on the surface of cells, and induce ADCC in mesothelin-positive cells.  Thus, this antibody represents an attractive alternative to the murine anti-mesothelin antibodies currently available.

 

Applications: 

•    Use as an antibody therapeutic for mesotheliomas and pancreatic and ovarian tumors

•    Use in an immunotoxin thereapeutic for mesotheliomas and pancreatic and ovarian tumors

•    Diagnostic for the detection of mesothelin positive tumors

•    Research agent for the detection of mesothelin

 

Advantages:

•    Fully human antibody reduces potential immunogenicity, thereby allowing repeated dosing

•    First human antibody against mesothelin

 

Benefits:

The antibody based therapeutic market is likely to grow steadily in the next decade, with the present estimate of the market at more than ten billion US dollars.  The development of a successful antibody therapeutic for mesotheliomas and pancreatic and ovarian cancers would occupy a significant portion of that market.

U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/040,005 filed 27 Mar 2008 (HHS Reference No. E-079-2008/0-US-01)

 

Inventors:

Dimiter S. Dimitrov et al. (NCI)

Licensees Sought:

Available for licensing.

 

Collaborative Research Opportunity:

The NCI CCR Nanobiology Program is seeking statements of capability or interest from parties interested in collaborative research to further develop, evaluate, or commercialize the antibody.  Please contact John D. Hewes, Ph.D. at 301-435-3121 or hewesj@mail.nih.gov for more information.