Modulating non-canonical autophagy (LAP) in myeloid cells to suppress tumors (SJ-17-0019)

St. Jude Reference #SJ-17-0019

Description

Researchers at St. Jude have discovered a tumor suppressive effect by modulating non-canonical autophagy (LAP) in myeloid cells that may be useful in the development of new strategies for cancer immunotherapy by targeting components of LAP.

Targeting components of the LAP pathway for specific drug design can be used as an immunotherapy strategy that modulates the tumor microenvironment. It is well established in the literature that infiltrating monocytes and macrophages play a pivotal role in shaping the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. The researchers at St. Jude envision that, by modulating LAP in the innate immune cells, it will be possible to shape the function of effector T cell toward an effective, cytotoxic immune response that can eliminate human tumor cells.

Keywords

LAP, Myeloid, Cancer, Autophagosome; Autophagy; LAPosome; LC3-associated phagocytosis; Phagocytosis; Tumor suppressive, modulating non-canonical autophagy

Granted patents or published applications

International patent application published: WO 2018/193393 A1

Related scientific references

Cunha et al., “LC3-associated phagocytosis at a glance.” Cell 2019 Feb 20;132(5). pii: jcs222984. doi: 10.1242/jcs.222984.

Cunha et al., "LC3-Associated Phagocytosis in Myeloid Cells Promotes Tumor Immune Tolerance" 2018, Cell 175, 429–441, October 18, 2018, Elsevier Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2018.08.061

Licensing opportunities

Please contact us if you are interested in licensing this technology. Contact: chad.riggs@stjude.org

Contact the Office of Technology Licensing (Phone: 901-595-2342, Fax: 901-595-3148) for more information.