Appeal No. 2006-0275 Page 3
Application No. 09/964,667
cultures exhibited “extensive neuritic growth with fine interconnecting processes
[ ] on most cells” and “[i]mmunocytochemical staining . . . using [an] [anti-AD7c-
NTP] monoclonal antibody revealed intense labeling of the cell bodies and cell
processes” (id.).
According to appellants, “[t]hese studies demonstrate that over expression
of AD7c-NTP in transfected neuronal cells promotes neuritic sprouting and cell
death, two of the major features of Alzheimer’s disease neurodegeneration.”
Specification, page 46. Thus, reducing AD7c-NTP expression “might be effective
in . . . treating or preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease” (id., page 46).
In addition, the specification teaches that “AD7c-NTP is produced by
neuroectodermal tumor cells, malignant astrocytoma cells, [and] glioblastoma
cells” (id., page 25). Thus, according to appellants, AD7c-NTP antisense
oligonucleotides “may be active in treatment against . . . neuroectodermal
tumors, malignant astrocytomas, and glioblastomas” (id.).
DISCUSSION
Claims 35, 37-43 and 45, the only claims remaining in the application, are
directed to treating neuroectodermal tumors, malignant astrocytomas, or
glioblastomas by administering an antisense oligonucleotide or a ribozyme to
inhibit translation of AD7c-NTP mRNA. Claim 35 is representative:
35. A method for the treatment of neuroectodermal tumors, malignant
astrocytomas, or glioblastomas, said method comprising administering to an
animal in need thereof an antisense oligonucleotide which is complementary to
an NTP mRNA sequence corresponding to nucleotides 150-1139 of SEQ ID
NO:1.
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Next
Last modified: November 3, 2007