EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Novel Leukotoxin for the Treatment of

Leukemia and Lymphoma

SUMMARY:  Dr. Scott C. Kachlany in the Department of Oral Biology at the University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) has identified a novel leukotoxin (LtxA) that is secreted in great abundance from a unique strain of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and is found in the mouths of 15-20% of healthy individuals.  This leukotoxin has potential therapeutic applications for the treatment of leukemia and lymphoma.  Siuta Consulting has been retained by UMDNJ to identify pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies with an interest in further developing this leukotoxin.

BACKGROUND:  Current treatment for blood cancers includes the use of synthetic compounds that target the cell division process of nearly all cells of the body, not just cancerous ones.  As a result, devastating side effects are all too common in patients.  Bone marrow suppression, severe neurologic effects, infertility, pulmonary, and gastrointestinal effects are just some of the adverse effects exhibited by the drugs.  The present invention presents a novel method of treatment leukemia and lymphoma which comprises the use of a novel form of leukotoxin as a therapeutic agent.

TECHNOLOGY:  The isolated leukotoxin is different from another leukotoxin purified from another strain of A. actinomycetemcomitans in its fatty acid modifications and cytotoxic properties against blood cells.  This novel leukotoxin has specific activity against white blood cells with no cytotoxic activity against red blood cells or other human cell types. 

Leukotoxin LtxA has the following specific properties:

• is specific and toxic for a subset of human white blood cells;

• can be easily purified from culture supernatants;

• is active in whole blood and kills myeloid cells;

• has an IC50 of 29ng/ml against progenitor myeloid cells;

• is not toxic to mice when injected at high doses.

Proof of principle experiments have been carried out in vitro and in vivo utilizing disease-specific cells and small animals.  Experiments utilizing leukemia blast cells from patients are under way. 

PATENT STATUS:  A United States Patent Application was filed in November 2006 that claims the use of the novel leukotoxin LtxA as a therapeutic agent.

LICENSE TERMS:  The technology is available for license.