A genetically engineered immunotoxin incorporating a cytolytic peptide from ant venom

Funding: 2000: $60,908
2001: $62,066
2002: $67,046

Project Member(s): Raison, R.

Funding or Partner Organisation: Australian Research Council (ARC SPIRT (Strategic Partnerships with Industry Re)
NSL Health (NSL Health Partner Funds)

Start year: 2000

Summary: A targeted cytotoxic agent (immunotoxin) using a cytolytic peptide (pilosulin) from ant venom will be developed. In previous studies we produced a unique, recombinant immunotoxin incorporating the bee venom toxin, melittin. While this immunotoxin yielded promising results, there is a clear need to improve the design in order to increase the specific activity to a level where it may be used as a therapeutic agent. As pilosulin is intrinsically more toxic than melittin and has patent protection, we propose that a pilosulin-based immunotoxin will result in a more effective, and commercially viable, reagent for the treatment of selected cancers.

Keywords: immunotoxin; antibody engineering; cytolytic peptides; monoclonal antibody; leukemia therapy

FOR Codes: Biological sciences, Blood disorders, Humoral Immunology and Immunochemistry, Genetic Immunology, Humoural Immunology and Immunochemistry, Genetic immunology , Clinical health

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.