The University of Leipzig has patented a series of Carborane-Based Inhibitors of the 5-LO Lypoxygenase pathway. These inhibitors are selectively cytotoxic towards several leukotriene-dependend melanoma and colon cancer cell lines., while leaving non-malignent cells intact. Furthermore, these inhibitor analogues have shown co-inhibition of heat shock proteins necessary for tumor development in such cell lines. Experimental results on mice showed promising results. Moreover, since these compounds have a high content of boron, they may also be suitable for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), a binary cancer therapy that uses selective boron compounds and thermal neutrons.
Furthermore, leukotriene inhibition could be useful in the treatment of asthma, as their production is related to inflammatory responses.
The BBZ is looking for organzations interested in acquiring this technology offer, helping perform precilinical and clinical studies, and ultimately leading to the licensing of it.
In order to decrease the symptoms of an overexpression of leukotrienes while inhibiting the lipoxygenase pathway, competitive leukotriene receptors have already been developed. However, common lipoxygenase inhibitors are rare on the market and their pharmacological profile is disadvantageous, since they are rapidly metabolized.
The institute of Inorganic Chemistry, together with Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. E. Hey-Hawkins at the University of Leipzig has solved this problem by patenting metabolically stable carboranes. The patent shows 24 examples of novel carborane-containing inhibitors of the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. Experimental results are promising, the inhibitors show high efficacy and increased selective cytotoxicity against leukotriene-dependent melanoma and colon cancer cell lines while leaving non-malignant fibroblasts intact. Mice with colon adenocarcinoma show an improved response to the investigated compounds. Furthermore, these inhibitor analogues have shown co-inhibition of heat shock proteins necessary for tumor development in such cell lines. This is supported by published research done by Prof. E. Hey-Hawkins et al., in 2017 and 2018.
Moreover, since these compounds have a high content of boron, they may also be suitable for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT), a binary cancer therapy that uses selective boron compounds and thermal neutrons. More and more hospitals are being equipped with neutron beam lines for BNCT, creating a growing demand for selective boron compounds in the future.
Desired business relationship
Patent licensing
Technology development
Applications
Oncology, Asthma treatment, Neurological research, Cancer treatment
Current development status
Laboratory prototypes
The Centre for Biotechnology and Biomedicine (BBZ) was founded in 2003 as the central research institute of the Leipzig University.
The BBZ promotes the networking of research within the university while simultaneously utilizing emerging interdisciplinary synergies. In cooperation with biotechnologically relevant groups in a life-science network at the Leipzig University, it has been possible to promote the outstanding development in biotechnology with national and international visibility and competitiveness.
Knowledge- and experience-intensive areas of innovation are for the biotechnology industry in Leipzig of great importance. In addition to high-level applied and fundamental research, the BBZ has successfully established an internationally competitive development and implementation platform. Due to its competence and capacity, the BBZ also provides technological consultation for research and industry partners.
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