Peptide Therapeutic for Triple Negative Breast Cancer

This invention provides compositions and methods for treating breast cancer using peptides or peptide mimics that bind to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and block transport of EGFR to cell nuclei. This mode of action results in loss of cancer cell survival and migratory capacity and induces tumor regression. This therapeutic induces cell death in wildtype EGFR-expressing cancer cells, but not normal epithelium.  Efficacy experiments in a mouse model for EGFR-dependent breast cancer resulted in significant tumor regression without observable toxicity. Target disease indications are breast cancer, particularly triple-negative breast cancer, as well as other cancer types in which EGFR is implicated. 

Background:
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has long been in need of therapies that are both effective and targeted. Current drugs for TNBC such as monoclonal antibodies and PARP inhibitors have limited effectiveness and serious side effects such as nausea, fatigue, decreased white blood cell count, anemia, and upper respiratory tract infection. This invention holds the promise to make treatment of TNBC possible for more people and more effective via its unique mechanism of action, while also reducing side effects by superior targeting of the disease.

Applications:

• Treatment of triple-negative breast cancer
• Therapeutic for additional EGFR-type cancers

 
Advantages:

• This technology provides for more targeted therapy, reducing dangerous side effects
• More effective for more people: this invention is free of some of the limitations that reduce effectiveness of similar drugs, making it applicable to more people and potentially more effective overall