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news.Kyto Biopharma has isolated the protein and gene encoding the human vitamin B12 receptor - TCblR - for the cellular uptake of the transcobalamin-bound vitamin B12.
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The over expression of TCblR in cancer cells provides the rationale for targeting the vitamin B12 receptor in the treatment of various forms of cancer.
The isolation of the TCblR gene and the expression of the TCblR protein was achieved by Edward Quadros and his team at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Downstate Medical Center. In addition, the team at SUNY has successfully expressed the fragment of the receptor protein responsible for binding to the transcobalamin-B12 complex.
Kyto has embarked on a program to develop targeted human monoclonal antibodies to TCblR as therapeutics for various forms of cancer. In addition, Kyto intends to couple chemotherapeutic drugs and metabolic toxins to such therapeutic monoclonal antibodies and enhance their biological activity as powerful targeting agents.
Kyto has entered into an arrangement with third party providers to manufacture murine antibodies that will be used in the development of humanized monoclonal antibodies to TCblR.
Uri Sagman, a founder and a director of Kyto, said: “The discovery of the TCblR gene and the expression of its encoded receptor protein represents a seminal milestone in the annals of cellular biology. Targeting TCblR in cancer cells with monoclonal antibodies holds a tremendous promise as a strategy to combat cancer.”