In 2024, the clinical-stage gene therapy company Genprex formed a Mesothelioma Clinical Advisory Board to support its preclinical mesothelioma oncology program. One year later, the company has announced that it has signed an exclusive patent agreement with the renowned NYU Langone Health System related to the company’s mesothelioma drug candidate, Reqorsa Gene Therapy.
Mesothelioma Gene Therapy Drug May Benefit Mesothelioma Patients
The Reqorsa Gene Therapy is currently being investigated as a potential therapeutic treatment for mesothelioma. Preclinical studies of the drug tested on four different pleural mesothelioma cell lines showed a significant decrease in cell proliferation and cell invasion with a concurrent increase in cell apoptosis. The researchers also found that the drug delivered potent tumor suppressive activity of the TUSC2 gene that is downregulated in 84% of mesotheliomas. Reqorsa is a plasmid that contains the TUSC2 gene in non-viral lipid-based nanoparticles and delivers it to the cancer’s tumor cells. Representatives of Genprex see its re-expression as a potential therapeutic strategy for the rare asbestos-related disease.
Speaking of the exclusive patent agreement on the mesothelioma drug between Genprex and NYU Langone, Senior Vice President of Intellectual Property and Licensing Thomas Gallagher said, “We are pleased to expand our robust oncology franchise, intellectual property portfolio, and research program for REQORSA to continue exploring how it may serve as a therapeutic treatment for some of the most difficult-to-treat cancers and diseases. We believe REQORSA has the potential to treat mesothelioma, and this license agreement positions Genprex to expand its clinical development pipeline with future clinical studies that are within the scope of the licensed patent.”
Mesothelioma Drug Offers Hope of Improved Patient Outcomes
The use of the REQORSA delivery system for the TUSC2 gene allows it to target negatively charged mesothelioma cells while minimizing uptake by normal tissue. A study conducted at MD Anderson showed that the uptake of TUSC2 in tumor cells in the lab following REQORSA treatment was 10 to 33 times the uptake in normal cells.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, innovative drug development offers hope of improved outcomes and quality of life. For information about other resources, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net at 1-800-692-8608.
