Repurposing tigecyclin for metastatic uveal melanoma treatment

We present a tigecyclin repurposing opportunity for metastatic uveal melanoma, an orphan oncology indication with a high unmet clinical need. Tigecyclin is a safe, clinically approved, off-patent glycylcyclin antibiotic. We show that tigecycline reduces the growth of uveal melanoma cell lines and patient derived xenograft  models.

Proprietary patent positions in Europe and US for the use of tigecycline for uveal melanoma treatment are in place. We are looking for a partner to further clinically explore and develop this repurposing opportunity.

Background

Uveal melanoma is a rare but severe type of eye cancer that arises from the melanocytes in the uvea. It is the most common primary intraocular cancer in adults. Its incidence rate ranks between 0.1 to 8.6 per million. If detected early, localized treatment using radiation therapy, surgical removal or laser therapy can be effective, however, about 50% of patients develop metastases. At the moment, there is no adjuvant therapy following primary treatment. Once metastasized, treatment options are very limited and moderately effective.

Our data show that we can re-purpose glycylcycline antibiotics, in particular tigecycline, to inhibit the mitochondrial protein synthesis and induce cancer cell killing in uveal melanoma in vitro and in vivo models.

Collaboration sought

The above described invention has been developed by the Laboratory for RNA Cancer Biology under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Eleonora Leucci. We are looking for industrial partners who want to further develop this invention towards clinical application together with our researchers and treating clinicians.

More info and IP status