Uniform Characterization of Antibodies for Cancer Proteomic Applications

Background

The NCI Clinical Proteomic Technologies for Cancer (CPTC) initiative (see http://proteomics.cancer.gov/) seeks to foster the building of an integrated foundation of proteomic technologies, data, reagents and reference materials, and analysis systems to systematically advance the application of protein science to accelerate discovery and clinical research in cancer.  Of the hundreds of cancer biomarkers very few of these candidates have been validated, and even fewer have made it into a medical diagnostic product. This discrepancy indicates that the issue lies within the candidate biomarker pipeline.  CPTC has funded the production and uniform characterization of an initial set of monoclonal antibodies to human proteins associated with cancer.  Antigens and antibodies were expressed, purified, produced and characterized using standard operating procedures (SOPs).  These highly characterized antibodies and associated data are accessible to the public at CPTC Reagents Data Portal (see http://antibodies.cancer.gov/).

The Collaborative Opportunity

The CPTC is looking for a limited number of partners with monoclonal antibodies to cancer related proteins to undergo the same rigorous CPTC characterization regimen.  A prospective partner must be willing to make the collected characterization data and the antibodies publically available.  Monoclonal antibodies to cancer targets should include different clones of the same antibody, antibodies to different epitopes/regions of the subject protein (i.e. full length vs. truncations, etc.), and/or modifications (i.e.  +/- phosphorylations, etc.).  Distribution of the characterized antibodies could be through the CPTC Reagents Data Portal or through the collaborator''''''''s channels (academic, nonprofit or commercial).  The availability of these highly characterized reagents and the associated data for specific cancer related proteins will add to the core resources available to the NCI Clinical Proteomic Technology Assessment for Cancer Centers and will likely be invaluable tools to the entire research community.

 Minimum Criteria for Consideration

 A minimum of ten (10) antibodies must be provided;

• From the antibodies available a maximum of twenty (20) will be selected for characterization; an aliquot of each antibody must contain at least 0.5mg in biological buffer.  Only antibodies of IgG subclass are acceptable. 

• Antigens to subject antibodies must also be provided; At least 1 mg of soluble antigen in biological buffer (PBS) should be provided for the studies.

• Antibodies must cover a minimum of five (5) unique cancer targets (i.e. multiple antibodies to a single target are acceptable);

• Priority given to antibodies that:

o   React with novel targets not already found in the CPTC antibody catalog;

o   React with post-translationally modified targets (e.g. phosphorylated);

o   Meets other CPTC programmatic needs.

• Agreement by the prospective partner that the antibody characterization data in its entirety will be made public;

•  Agreement that all antibodies characterized must be made available to the research community through appropriate academic or commercial channels.

 Prospective partners would at minimum agree to the following:

•  To provide monoclonal antibodies to cancer related proteins and their related antigens consistent with the criteria listed.  Antibodies should not overlap with the existing CPTC reagents, and should satisfy the current programmatic needs and goals of the CPTC as determined by the CPTC.

•  All antibody characterization data collected will be made publicly available in its entirety on the CPTC Antibody Data Portal following a sixty (60) day review period by the partner.

•  Characterized antibodies will be available to the research community through an appropriate mechanism (CPTC Antibody Data Portal, material transfer agreements, commercial sale etc.).

• It is anticipated that the CRADA partner will provide funding to NCI to complete the proposed antibody characterization.  Accordingly, it is anticipated that this opportunity will be conducted under the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) authority (15 U.S.C. 3710a).  Note that under a CRADA, NCI is prohibited by law from providing funds to the Collaborator.
  

NCI will:

•  Determine, at its sole discretion, the suitability of the subject antibodies with respect to CPTC programmatic needs and goals.

•  Characterize the subject monoclonal antibodies according to the CPTC regimen.

•   Following a sixty (60) day review by the partner, the collected characterization data will be placed in the CPTC Antibody Data Portal in its entirety.

Interested parties should provide a brief statement of interest and a description of the antibodies to cancer related proteins available (no more than two pages total).  NCI will review proposals to determine if they satisfy programmatic needs of the CPTC.  NCI reserves the right to enter into an agreement with any partner(s) or none at all.  Proposals should be sent to:

Jeffrey W. Thomas, Ph.D.
Technology Transfer Center
1003 West 7th Street
Fairview Center, Suite 500
Frederick, MD 21701
Phone: 301-846-5465
Fax: 301-846-6820
Email: jeffreyt@mail.nih.gov

Please reference #993

This opportunity is also listed under the following categories:

• Therapeutics

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