Technology

Vasopressin Biology

  • Vasopressin is a neuroendocrine hormone found in most mammals
  • Vasopressin is generated in the hypothalamus and stored in the pituitary gland for secretion in response to stimulus
  • Main biological functions include: 
    • Regulation of body fluid balance through the kidneys
    • Involved in the maintenance of blood pressure
    • Stress agent as one of several releasers of ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophic hormone)
Provasopressin and Oncology

  • Provasopressin is the precursor molecule for Vasopressin, normally processed by neurons inside the hypothalamus and excreted as three Independent molecules via a transport vesicle
  • Abnormal vasopressin production has been well documented in various cancer cell lines including Small Cell Lung Cancer, and Breast Cancer
  • Woomera has observed that in contrast to normal vasopressin production, in cancer cells some Provasopressin is not processed and migrates intact to the cell membrane
  • Woomera is developing antibodies against Provasopressin
Publications
 
Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, June 2011
North WG, Pang RH, Gao G, Memoli VA, Cole BF.

Native MAG - 1 antibody almost destroys human breast cancer xenografts