A Transcriptionally Active Promoter-Gene System with Intrinsic Immunotherapeutic Benefit

Reference #:

2000-001

Inventors/Contributors

Richard G. Vile, Ph.D., Michael J. Gough, Ph.D.

Description

The invention uses a constitutively active form of the Heat Shock Factor-1 (HSF-1) transcription factor to activate its own expression, as well as that of a second gene, from a highly tissue specific but weak promoter. This cassette allows therapeutic genes to be tightly controlled in a tissue-specific manner and expressed at high levels when required. Also, this system initiates active expression of stress-related proteins which will be highly immunostimulatory.

Patent Status

	Europe Patent Number 1478750 Issued November 24, 2004 U.S. Patent Number 6,867,036 Issued March 15, 2005