The NPRL2 gene is believed to be important in the genesis of multiple types of cancer, including lung cancer and renal cell cancer. The gene is licensed to Introgen from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Research has indicated that low expression of the NPRL2 gene may predict resistance to response to cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer. In lung cancers that were resistant to cisplatin, re-introduction of the normal NPRL2 gene resulted in dramatic re-sensitization to cisplatin.
“The ability to use a simple biomarker assay for NPRL2 to identify patients who would not derive benefit from cisplatin represents an important advance and underscores the significance of NPRL2 in lung cancer,” said Dr Sunil Chada, Introgen associate vice president for research and development.
Introgen previously announced that it acquired the exclusive worldwide license for a family of at least 10 anticancer genes including NRPL2 and FUS1. Introgen is developing INGN 401, which utilizes the FUS-1 tumor suppressor gene in a nanoparticle formulation and is now in clinical testing for the systemic treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.