Using Antibodies and CAR-T Cells to Fight MUC1-C Expressing Cancers

This patent describes specific antibodies and engineered immune cells (CAR-T) designed to target and treat cancers that produce a particular protein called MUC1-C.

What it covers

The patent discloses anti-MUC1-C antibodies, including a type referred to as UniAbs™, and CAR-T structures. These are designed to recognize and bind to the MUC1-C protein, which is found on certain cancer cells. The patent also covers methods for creating these antibodies and CAR-T structures, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The core purpose is to use these specialized biological tools to treat diseases, specifically cancers, that are characterized by the presence of MUC1-C. For example, a patient with a MUC1-C expressing tumor could potentially receive a therapy made from these CAR-T cells to help their immune system attack the cancer.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover therapies targeting cancer markers or proteins other than MUC1-C.
• —Does not cover cancer treatments that do not involve antibodies or CAR-T structures.
• —Does not cover methods for diagnosing MUC1-C expressing disorders, focusing only on treatment.
• —Does not cover the use of non-antibody-based molecules or different types of cell therapies to target MUC1-C.

The clever bit

The clever bit is the specific targeting of the MUC1-C protein using a dual approach of specialized antibodies and CAR-T cells. MUC1-C plays a role in cancer cell survival and growth, so precisely hitting this target with both antibody-based and cell-based therapies offers a potentially potent way to combat tumors that rely on this protein.

Why it matters

MUC1-C is a protein often found on the surface of aggressive cancer cells, making it a significant target for new cancer treatments. This patent combines two powerful approaches: highly specific antibodies and CAR-T cell therapy, which reprograms a patient's own immune cells to fight cancer. Developing targeted therapies like these is crucial for improving outcomes in hard-to-treat cancers.

Real-world examples

• 1.CAR-T cell therapies (e.g., Kymriah, Yescarta)
• 2.Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs)
• 3.Targeted cancer immunotherapies
• 4.Treatments for solid tumors expressing MUC1-C