Introduction

The invention is a subset of new anticancer molecules able to block the uptake of non-transferrin-bound iron by cancer cells, so eliminating a pivotal and particularly enhanced energy source in the neoplastic cells.

Technical features

The invention consists in the development of new bio-tolerable antibodies (humanized, chimeras) capable of blocking the membrane proteins DMT (Divalent Metal Transporter) and ZIP (Zinc-regulated transporter Iron-regulated transporter like Protein) assigned to the internalization of non-transferrin-bound iron inside cancer cells. This interaction results in an intracellular depletion of non-transferrin-bound iron with subsequent metabolic and proliferative blockage of the cancer cells, mechanism that can be exploited for therapeutic purposes in cancer patients.

Possible Applications

• Oncology;
• Precision medicine;
• Oncohaematology;
• Cytostatic mono-/polytherapy;
• Chemotherapy protocols;
• Rescue chemotherapy;
• Molecular targeted therapy;
• Oncotherapy of «big killers».

Advantages

• Activity towards solid and liquid malignancies;
• Higher activity against aggressive cancers;
• Activity towards tumors with multiple genetic mutations and with epigenetic alterations;
• Activity in tumors with microsatellite instability;
• Associable with other chemotherapy drugs also conjugated with transferrin.