The Need: Addressing the Challenges in Cancer Imaging

Cancer continues to be a major cause of global mortality, with over 10% of all deaths attributed to this devastating disease. Despite significant advancements in cancer research, there remains a critical need to enhance current techniques for prevention, diagnosis, imaging, therapeutics, and surgery. Existing cancer imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) suffer from limitations in resolution and signal-to-noise ratios. Radioimmunoguided detection and surgery (RIGS) offers a promising modality for accurate mapping of cancerous tissue surfaces, but the current catalog of cancer-binding antibodies is not ideal for these applications.

The Technology: Highly Stabilized 3E8 scFv

The disclosed technology presents a breakthrough in cancer imaging with a highly stabilized single-chain variable antibody fragment (scFv) that specifically binds to the tumor-associated glycoprotein 72 (TAG-72). This scFv is derived from the 3E8 antibody, a humanized variant of CC49, and exhibits remarkable affinity for the sialyl-Tn epitope of TAG-72. By addressing the challenges of stabilization and affinity loss in engineered proteins, this technology overcomes the obstacles that have hindered the widespread use of such imaging agents in hospitals.

Commercial Applications:

• In vivo and in vitro detection of TAG-72-expressing cancer cells for early and accurate cancer diagnosis.
• In vivo treatment of TAG-72-expressing cancers through targeted and precise administration of therapeutic agents.
• Prognosis of cancer recurrence in previously treated patients for improved post-treatment surveillance.

Benefits/Advantages:

• Enhanced Imaging Precision: The highly stabilized 3E8 scFv ensures reliable and consistent binding to the TAG-72 epitope, enabling precise imaging of cancerous tissues with improved resolution and signal clarity.
• Non-immunogenicity: The latest generation of sialyl-Tn IgGs used in this technology is nonimmunogenic, minimizing adverse immune reactions during imaging and treatment.
• Customizable Therapeutics: The technology allows for the development of customized therapies by coupling the scFv with various effector moieties, such as chemotherapeutic agents, to selectively target cancer cells, maximizing treatment efficacy while minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues.
• Streamlined Detection and Treatment: The method of in vivo treatment combines radionuclide-labeled antibody fragments with surgical excision, streamlining the detection and removal of tumor cells in a single procedure.
• Comprehensive Diagnostic Kits: The technology's commercial kits include antibody fragments, instructions, and diagnostic tools, simplifying implementation for medical professionals.

In conclusion, the highly stabilized 3E8 scFv technology presents an innovative solution to the challenges faced in cancer imaging and treatment. With its remarkable binding affinity and nonimmunogenic properties, this technology opens new avenues for precise cancer detection and personalized therapeutic approaches, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes and a positive impact on global cancer mortality.