Office of Technology Management
Method and Composition
for Inducing Monocyte Cytotoxicity
Summary:
A
new cytokine molecule, referred to as Monocyte Cytotoxicity Factor (MCF),
has been shown to activate monocytes for tumor cell lysis. University
researchers have developed a line of T-cell hybridomas produce MCFs capable
of inducing potent tumor cytotoxicity and high levels of interleukin 1
(1). Nona-peptides corresponding to the N-terminus of MCF have been
developed. These synthetic peptides were found to interact with specific
high affinity saturable cellular binding sites and activate macrophages
for cytotoxicity (2). Therapeutic uses of MCF include the treatment
of blood forming organ cancers such as leukemia, or solid tumors by way
of direct IV infusion of pharmaceutical compositions that include MCF or
in combination with other therapeutic agents such as interleukin II, interferon
or Cytoxan. Use in other therapeutic modalities includes adoptive
immunotherapy or the ex vivo activation of a patient's mononuclear cells
for reinfusion into the patient. As a diagnostic, MCF can be useful
in detecting T-cell and other malignancies by determining the levels of
MCF or the presence of MCF antibodies in blood.
Technology Status:
These patents are available for licensing from UT-Houston Health Science Center.
Patent Nos. 4,977,245; 5,112,948; 5,286,482; 5,292,642; 5,434,247; 6,265,214 B1
Inventor:
C. Michael Jones,
M.D.
Publications:
1) Jones, C.M.,
Prince, C.A., Williams, J.S., Purification and amino acid analysis of a
human macrophage cytoxicity-inducing factor (MCF). Experimental Hematology
(1991) 19: 704-709.
2)
Jones, C.M., Reyes, C.J., Cook, R.G., Synthetic macrophage activating peptides.
(1993).