TADG-15 is a new member of the serine protease family (matriptase) and is a highly overexpressed gene in tumors. Researchers have developed a screening program to identify proteases, which are overexpressed in carcinoma by examining PCR products amplified using differential display in early stage tumors and metastatic tumors compared to that of normal tissue. This novel Tumor Antigen Derived Gene, i.e. TADG, has application as a therapeutic target in both ovarian carcinoma and other cell surface transmembrane protein carcinomas including breast, prostate, lung, and colon. TADG-15 protein is composed of multiple domains including a transmembrane domain and several ligand-binding domains with extracellular protease domains at the carboxy. terminus. It has potential for targeting tumor cells or for protease inhibition therapy. TADG-15's ligand-binding domains may be valuable in the uptake of specific molecules into tumor cells.

Reference: Tumor Biology 2001; 22: 104 - 114

98-09

Patent Status: Issued US Patent #5,972,616; 7,022,821; 6,649,741; 7,291,462 and several National filings

License Status: Licensing Available for all applications except diagnostic

License Status: Exclusive Licensing available for all applications, except diagnostics