Out-licensing

Towards the Development of Novel Therapeutics to Treat Metabolic Bone Disorders: Elucidation of an Osteoclast Differentiation Inhibitor

Introduction/Background

Over- or underproduction of osteoclasts disrupts the balance between bone deposition and bone resorption. The imbalance may result in diseases such as osteoporosis and osteopetrosis. Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis also cause bone destruction. Paget's disease of bone (PDB), periodontal disease and hyperparathyroidism is characterised by increased bone resorption. Primary tumours, especially osteoclastomas or giant cell tumours, cause lysis of bone, as does cancer metastasised to bone. These diseases also involve over- or underproduction of osteoclasts. More than 40 million Americans have arthritis and the number is estimated to rise to 59 million by 2020. Ten million Americans are estimated to have osteoporosis, with 34 million at risk due to low bone density. Rheumatoid arthritis affects 2.1 million Americans. Tumours in bone often arise from metastasises from other sites, with breast, prostate, and lung tumours making up more than 80% of bone lesions.

Aims/Hypothesis

The aim of this research project is to generate a further understanding of osteoclast biology and to elucidate novel inhibitors of the osteoclast differentiation pathway that have the potential to be utilised in such implicated diseases.

Research

A scientist at MD Anderson Cancer Center has identified and characterised a new gene encoding a cytoplasmic protein that is an inhibitor of the osteoclast differentiation pathway. The inventor has cloned the full length gene. No homology to any known protein was found, nor any previously identified domains. Expression was indicated in most tissues.

Conclusion

A novel gene has been elucidated, which has been shown to inhibit osteoclast differentiation. This gene has the potential to affect the treatment of osteoporosis and other metabolic bone disorders.

Relevance/Opportunity

The gene can be used to regulate bone resorption in metabolic bone disorders, cancers metastasised to bone and diseases that result in bone destruction. In addition to using the gene itself in a therapeutic method, it may also be a new intracellular signalling target for the development of pharmaceutical agents. If you are interested in the exclusive licensing of this novel gene, please enquire quoting reference no. MDA02-072 / 08-22-02 / LHA.

Early Stage