University of Michigan

University of Pennsylvania

Indiana University

Ronald J Buckanovich

Scott D Larsen

George Coukos

Andrea Facciabene

Kun Yang

Brandt C Huddle

Thomas Hurley

Phyllis A Gimotty

This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. In particular, the invention relates to a new class of small-molecules having a thiopyrimidinone structure which function as inhibitors of ALDH protein, and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Small molecule inhibitors of ALDH and uses thereof

The present invention provides methods of treating and enhancing efficacy of immunotherapy for a solid tumor in a subject, comprising the step of contacting the subject with a compound or composition that modulates the expression or activity of ETRB, ET-1, ICAM-1, or another protein found herein to play a role in homing of T cells to a solid tumor. The present invention also provides methods of prognosticating a solid tumor in a subject, comprising the step of measuring an expression level of a protein found herein to play a role in homing of T cells to a solid tumor, or a nucleotide molecule encoding same.

Methods and compositions for treating solid tumors and enhancing tumor vaccines

The present invention determined that EGFL6 functions as a tumor vascular regulator of ovarian cancer stem cells (CSC). In addition, the present invention determined that a novel EGFL6 blocking antibody was able to restrict cancer cell growth and delay disease recurrence. As such, the present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibiting cancer cell growth, proliferation and/or metastasis. In particular, the present invention provides methods for inhibiting cancer cell growth, proliferation and/or metastasis through administration of a composition comprising an agent capable of inhibiting the function of EGFL6 (e.g., thereby inhibiting related cancer cell growth). In some embodiments, the agent capable of inhibiting the function of EGFL6 is an EGFL6 blocking antibody. The agents and related compositions additionally find use in diagnostic and research settings.

Compositions and methods relating to inhibiting cancer cell growth and/or proliferation

The present invention relates to chemical compounds, methods for their discovery, and their therapeutic and research use. In particular, the present invention provides compounds as therapeutic agents against cancer stem cells.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Ronald J Buckanovich