Anti-fugetactic agent and Anti-cancer agent combination therapy and compositions for the treatment of cancer

Abstract

The invention described herein relates to methods and compositions for treating cancer in a patient or a tumor cell by administering an effective amount of an anti-fugetactic agent and an additional anti-cancer agent.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Cell movement in response to specific stimuli is observed to occur in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. Cell movement seen in these organisms has been classified into three types: chemotaxis or the movement of cells along a gradient towards an increasing concentration of a chemical; negative chemotaxis which has been defined as the movement down a gradient of a chemical stimulus; and chemokinesis or the increased random movement of cells induced by a chemical agent.[0002]Chemotaxis and chemokinesis have been observed to occur in mammalian cells in response to the class of proteins, called chemokines. Additionally, chemorepellent, or fugetactic, activity has been observed in mammalian cells. For example, some tumor cells secrete concentrations of chemokines that are sufficient to repel immune cells from the site of a tumor, thereby reducing the immune system's ability to target and eradicate the tumor. Metastasizing cancer cells may use a similar mechanism ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method to treat tumors by blocking the action of a protein called CXCL12 or IL-8, which is produced by tumor cells to evade the immune system. This blockage allows better access to the tumor for traditional cancer treatments, like chemotherapy and radiation. The method involves using an anti-fugetactic agent to reduce the effects of CXCL12 or IL-8, making the tumor easier to target with other treatments. By using this approach, researchers hope to improve the outcome of patients with tumors and increase the likelihood of a cure.

Problems solved by technology

For example, some tumor cells secrete concentrations of chemokines that are sufficient to repel immune cells from the site of a tumor, thereby reducing the immune system's ability to target and eradicate the tumor.

However, treatment with such agents may not be sufficient to eradicate a tumor in all patients, depending on the type of tumor, size of tumor, number of metastases, site(s) of metastasis, patient's health, etc.