MSU Technologies

050075: Inhibition of Cancer Cells Expressing Activated Ras Gene by Reducing the Expression of Sprouty with RNA Interference or Similar Technologies

Description:

According to the CDC, cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U. S., killing more than 553,000 Americans each year. Control of this disease is a national priority. There are many mechanisms by which normal cells can be transformed into cancer cells. One that is well known and associated with a large number of cancers is mutation of the H-Ras gene into an activated oncogene. In particular, a large percentage of lung and pancreatic cancers express activated forms of H-Ras.

Description

This technology describes a potential approach for control of cancer cells that express a mutated form of the H-Ras oncogene. The specific invention is a unique interfering RNA (shRNA or siRNA) that reduces expression of the Sprouty protein (Spry2). In the presence of activated H-Ras, expression of the Sprouty protein may promote malignancy.

Benefits

Reduction of Sprouty protein: A specific small interfering RNA (shRNA or siRNA) that reduces the level of Sprouty protein in cancer cells expressing activated H-Ras.
Potential target for lung and pancreatic cancer: A large percentage of lung and pancreatic cancers, both of which are very difficult to treat, express activated H-Ras.