Utilization of Asparaginase-expressing yeast for the treatment of leukemia

Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) is a common form of leukemia that affects approximately 3 people per 100,000 individuals, and is the most common form of cancer in children and adolescents. Current therapies are effective in children, however, treatment success in infants, adolescents, and adults needs improvement. Indeed, there is a need for new chemotherapeutic drugs and drug formulations that can improve survival rates in susceptible age groups, reduce relapse rates, and improve outcomes in relapsed patients. The research proposed in this project aims to develop novel ALL therapeutics by means of alternative drug formulations, modifications, encapsulation, and enzymatic engineering.

Faculty Supervisor:

Gregor Reid

Student:

Matthew Gynn

Partner:

Renaissance BioScience Corporation

Discipline:

Medicine

Sector:

Pharmaceuticals

University:

University of British Columbia