Patent · US Expired

Enzyme catalyzed therapeutic agents

US6245750A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
20References
7Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 22, 1999
Grant dateJun 12, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 22, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC07H19/10
  • WIPO fieldPharmaceuticals
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

This invention provides a method for identifying potential therapeutic agents by contacting a target cell with a candidate therapeutic agent which is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme in the cell which is enhanced in its expression as a result of selection by biologic or chemotherapy. This invention also provides methods and examples of molecules for selectively killing a pathological cell by contacting the cell with a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, intracellular enzyme. The prodrug is subsequently converted to a cellular toxin. Further provided by this invention is a method for treating a pathology characterized by pathological, hyperproliferative cells in a subject by administering to the subject a prodrug that is a selective substrate for an endogenous, overexpressed, intracellular enzyme, and converted by the enzyme to a cellular toxin in the hyperproliferative cell.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.