Yonsei University Medical Center has transferred its metastatic cancer chemotherapy technology to Repure Life science
The university co-developed the technology with Asan Medical Center, ATGen, University of Ulsan's Foundation for Industry Cooperation.
Researchers from the four institutions have previously investigated the effect and mechanism of EPB41L5 gene activation on metastatic cancer progression. Through the study, the team suggested the potential use of EPB41L5 as a biomarker for metastatic cancer therapy using antibodies.
As a result, the team found that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) increased the expression of EPB41L5, which affect cancer growth and metastasis. EPB41L5 promoted gastric cancer cell migration and invasion through epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that converts epithelial cells into mesenchymal stem cells.
Based on such findings, the team confirmed it could inhibit cancer metastasis by administering an antibody that inhibits the function of EPB41L5.
With the technology transfer, Repure Life Science plans to develop anti-cancer drugs for cancer metastasis and stomach and brain cancer, while also developing a cancer diagnostic kit.
"We hope that the results of the technology transfer can be applied to the medical field and contribute to the improvement of the patient's treatment and survival rate," said Professors Yoon Ho-geun and Jung Jae-ho, the two researchers who developed the technology.