Biomedical Catalyst – Antibody Directed Phototherapy for Oesophageal Adenocarcinoma

Lead Research Organisation: University College London
Department Name: UNLISTED

Abstract

Oesophageal Cancer is rapidly rising and is the 4th largest cancer killer in men. This project supports combining PhotoBiotics' proprietary OptiLink technology and its own drugs with experts from Imperial College and University College London National Medical Laser Centre to develop a novel antibody-directed phototherapy (ADP) drug to treat cancer. These drugs have few side effects and tumours cannot develop drug resistance to them. We have identified a clinically-validated target and have preliminary data to show that we can tackle this for Oesophageal Cancer. Photobiotics will oversee the manufacture and testing of the drug, Imperial College will help to generate functional data and UCL will treat tumours using their established models. If successful, thus funding will lead to major interest from the pharmaceutical industry to take this into clinical trials.

Technical Summary

Oesophageal Cancer is rapidly rising and is the 4th largest cancer killer in men. This project supports combining PhotoBiotics' proprietary OptiLink technology and its own drugs with experts from Imperial College and University College London National Medical Laser Centre to develop a novel antibody-directed phototherapy (ADP) drug to treat cancer. These drugs have few side effects and tumours cannot develop drug resistance to them. We have identified a clinically-validated target and have preliminary data to show that we can tackle this for Oesophageal Cancer. Photobiotics will oversee the manufacture and testing of the drug, Imperial College will help to generate functional data and UCL will treat tumours using their established models. If successful, thus funding will lead to major interest from the pharmaceutical industry to take this into clinical trials.

Publications

10 25 50

 
Description Specialist Advisor to NICE
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health
Impact Approval of minimally invasive ablative therapy for treatment of dysplasia and early cancer in Barrett's oesophagus.
URL http://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG106
 
Title Oesophageal cancer rat model 
Description Development of a method to induce oesopahgeal adenocarcinoma in the rat oesophagus in vivo. 
Type Of Material Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo 
Year Produced 2018 
Provided To Others? No  
Impact We were able to create oesophageal cancer and to use this for imaging to show development and metastasis of tumour in real time. We are preparing a manuscript for publication in 2020. 
 
Description Photobiotics 
Organisation Photobiotics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution We have done the in vivo work for targeted photodynamic therapy studies
Collaborator Contribution They have made targeted antibodies conjugated to their proprietary photosensitisers.
Impact Various abstracts to scientific meetings. Papers published
Start Year 2010
 
Title Targeted PDT agent for oesophageal adenocarcinoma 
Description Muc1-antibody directed photodynamic therapy agent 
Type Therapeutic Intervention - Drug
Current Stage Of Development Initial development
Year Development Stage Completed 2014
Development Status Under active development/distribution
Impact This is still under initial development but if it can be made to work, would create a whole new approach to targeted cancer therapy. 
 
Description Oral presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact We run an annual national event which drew international faculty to present our findings both to researchers but also to lay members of the general public who have an interest in this subject
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2015,2016,2017