How Antibodies Can Force Cancer Cells to Self-Destruct
Genentech's patent on specific antibodies that bind to the Apo-2 receptor to trigger programmed cell death in cancer cells.
Original patent title: “Apo-2 receptor agonist antibodies”
Genentech's patent on specific antibodies that bind to the Apo-2 receptor to trigger programmed cell death in cancer cells. Granted to Genentech Inc in 2010 with 56 claims and 2 forward citations.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes monoclonal antibodies designed to target and bind to a specific protein called Apo-2, which is found on the surface of certain cells. When these antibodies attach to the Apo-2 receptor, they act as agonists, meaning they trigger a signal inside the cell that forces it to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death. By specifically targeting cancer cells that express this receptor, the antibodies can cause the tumor cells to kill themselves without necessarily harming healthy cells. For example, the patent demonstrates this effect in SK-MES-1 lung carcinoma cells.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover antibodies that bind to receptors other than Apo-2.
- Does not cover antibodies that block or inhibit apoptosis rather than triggering it.
- Does not cover small molecule drugs or chemical compounds that are not antibodies.
- Does not cover general methods of cancer treatment that do not use these specific agonist antibodies.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation lies in using an antibody not just to block a signal, but to actively mimic a natural trigger that forces the cell to initiate its own suicide sequence (apoptosis).
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Targeted cancer immunotherapy research
Experimental monoclonal antibody therapeutics
Oncology drug development pipelines
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent represents a significant effort in targeted cancer therapy, moving away from broad-spectrum chemotherapy toward precision medicine. By leveraging the body's own cell-death pathways, Genentech aimed to create treatments that are more selective and potentially less toxic to patients. It highlights the importance of identifying specific cell-surface receptors that can be exploited to force malignant cells into self-destruction.
Filed
April 25, 2003
Granted
October 5, 2010
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, remains a leader in antibody-based therapeutics. Various biotech companies and academic labs continue to explore the TRAIL/Apo-2 signaling pathway as a target for overcoming drug resistance in solid tumors.
Market impact
This patent contributed to the broader industry shift toward protein-based therapeutics and targeted oncology. While the specific Apo-2 pathway has proven complex to translate into clinical success, the underlying concept of using agonist antibodies to induce apoptosis remains a fundamental strategy in modern drug discovery.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes monoclonal antibodies designed to target and bind to a specific protein called Apo-2, which is found on the surface of certain cells. When these antibodies attach to the Apo-2 receptor, they act as agonists, meaning they trigger a signal inside the cell that forces it to undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death. By specifically targeting cancer cells that express this receptor, the antibodies can cause the tumor cells to kill themselves without necessarily harming healthy cells. For example, the patent demonstrates this effect in SK-MES-1 lung carcinoma cells.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in using an antibody not just to block a signal, but to actively mimic a natural trigger that forces the cell to initiate its own suicide sequence (apoptosis).
What it does not cover
- Does not cover antibodies that bind to receptors other than Apo-2.
- Does not cover antibodies that block or inhibit apoptosis rather than triggering it.
- Does not cover small molecule drugs or chemical compounds that are not antibodies.
- Does not cover general methods of cancer treatment that do not use these specific agonist antibodies.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
10/40
Early citations
Claim breadth
20/20
Very broad protection
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$27K – $86K
Midpoint $54K · expired or expiring · industry ×3.0
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
The original legal language
Original claims
56 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Adams, C. W., Ashkenazi, A. J., Kim, K. J., & Chuntharapai, A. (2010). How Antibodies Can Force Cancer Cells to Self-Destruct (U.S. Patent No. 7,807,153). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/7807153/avastin-chemotherapy
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Antibodies Can Force Cancer Cells to Self-Destruct cover?
Genentech's patent on specific antibodies that bind to the Apo-2 receptor to trigger programmed cell death in cancer cells.
Who owns patent US 7807153?
Genentech Inc owns this patent, granted in 2010.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on October 5, 2030, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 7807153 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 2 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent represents a significant effort in targeted cancer therapy, moving away from broad-spectrum chemotherapy toward precision medicine. By leveraging the body's own cell-death pathways, Genentech aimed to create treatments that are more selective and potentially less toxic to patients. It highlights the importance of identifying specific cell-surface receptors that can be exploited to force malignant cells into self-destruction.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover antibodies that bind to receptors other than Apo-2.
Same assignee
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