Patents by Inventor Max S. Wicha

Max S. Wicha has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11426729
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for whole cell analysis. In particular, the present disclosure relates to single cell genomic analysis (e.g., gene expression analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Euisik Yoon, Yu-Heng Cheng, Yu-Chih Chen, Riley Brien, Max S. Wicha
  • Patent number: 10677708
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon, Eric Lin, Max S. Wicha, Lianette Rivera Baez, Diane M. Simeone
  • Patent number: 10557850
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating cancer by administering an IL8-CXCR1 pathway inhibitor (e.g., an anti-CXCR1 antibody or Repertaxin) alone or in combination with an additional chemotherapeutic agent such that non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic cancer cells in a subject are killed. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for detecting the presence of and isolating solid tumor stem cells in a patient (e.g., based on the presence of CXCR1 or FBXO21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Max S. Wicha, Christophe Ginestier
  • Publication number: 20190344270
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for whole cell analysis. In particular, the present disclosure relates to single cell genomic analysis (e.g., gene expression analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Inventors: Euisik Yoon, Yu-Heng Cheng, Yu-Chih Chen, Riley Brien, Max S. Wicha
  • Patent number: 10227567
    Abstract: A small percentage of cells within an established solid tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise both to more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. Thus, solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell. This discovery is the basis for solid tumor stem cell compositions, methods for distinguishing functionally different populations of tumor cells, methods for using these tumor cell populations for studying the effects of therapeutic agents on tumor growth, and methods for identifying and testing novel anti-cancer therapies directed to solid tumor stem cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Michael F. Clarke, Sean J. Morrison, Max S. Wicha, Muhammad Al-Hajj
  • Publication number: 20190017919
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon, Eric Lin, Max S. Wicha, Lianette Rivera Baez, Diane M. Simeone
  • Patent number: 10073024
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon, Eric Lin, Max S. Wicha, Lianette Rivera Baez, Diane M. Simeone
  • Patent number: 9801922
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods to treat cancer with an agent that increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cancer cell mitochondria (“an XTPP agent”) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, an inhibitor of hydroperoxide metabolism and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Douglas R. Spitz, Michael K. Schultz, Kyle Kloepping, Yueming Zhu, Nukhet Aykin-Burns, Max S. Wicha
  • Publication number: 20170175083
    Abstract: A small percentage of cells within an established solid tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise both to more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. Thus, solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell. This discovery is the basis for solid tumor stem cell compositions, methods for distinguishing functionally different populations of tumor cells, methods for using these tumor cell populations for studying the effects of therapeutic agents on tumor growth, and methods for identifying and testing novel anti-cancer therapies directed to solid tumor stem cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Michael F. Clarke, Sean J. Morrison, Max S. Wicha, Muhammad Al-Hajj
  • Patent number: 9606124
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating cancer by administering an IL8-CXCR1 pathway inhibitor (e.g., an anti-CXCR1 antibody or Repertaxin) alone or in combination with an additional chemotherapeutic agent such that non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic cancer cells in a subject are killed. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for detecting the presence of and isolating solid tumor stem cells in a patient (e.g., based on the presence of CXCR1 or FBXO21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Max S. Wicha, Christophe Ginestier
  • Patent number: 9492538
    Abstract: A small percentage of cells within an established tumor have the properties of stem cells. These solid tumor stem cells give rise both to more tumor stem cells and to the majority of cells in the tumor that have lost the capacity for extensive proliferation and the ability to give rise to new tumors. The solid tumor heterogeneity reflects the presence of tumor cell progeny arising from a solid tumor stem cell. This discovery is the basis for solid tumor stem cell compositions, methods for distinguishing functionally different populations of tumor cells, methods for using these tumor cell populations for studying the effects of therapeutic agents on tumor growth, and methods for identifying and testing novel anti-cancer therapies directed to solid tumor stem cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Michael F. Clarke, Sean J. Morrison, Max S. Wicha, Muhammad Al-Hajj
  • Patent number: 9352039
    Abstract: Compositions, kits, and methods for therapeutic screening, diagnostics, and cancer treatment based on the identification or use of the different states of cancer stem cells, including cancer stem cells in the EMT (epithelial to mesenchymal transition) MET (mesenchymal to epithelial transition), and EMT-MET states are disclosed. In some methods, a subject is treated with one therapeutic that targets EMT cancer stem cells and a second therapeutic that targets MET cancers stem cells. In certain methods, the different states of cancer stem cells are distinguished based on markers CD44+CD24?, EpCam?CD49P+ (for EMT cancers stem cells), ALDH+ and EPCam+CD49r? (for MET cancers stem cells), and CD44+CD24?ALDH+ (for EMT-MET cancer stem cells). In particular methods, micro RNAs are used to transition to one particular cancer stem cell type (e.g., mir-100 for EMT and mir-93 for MET).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Inventors: Suling Liu, Max S. Wicha
  • Patent number: 9327023
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, methods, and kits for treating cancers with HER2 targeting agents and preventing resistance thereto. In particular embodiments, non-HER2-amplified cancers are treated with HER2 targeting agents, wherein the cancer stem cells in the cancer express HER2 and/or HER2 indicator marker. The present invention also relates to compositions, methods, and kits for detecting expression of HER2 and/or a HER2 indicator marker in non-HER2-amplified cancer samples from a subject, and identifying the subject as responsive to treatment with a HER2 targeting agent and/or treating the subject with a HER2 targeting agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Max S. Wicha, Hasan Korkaya
  • Publication number: 20150293010
    Abstract: A microfluidic device for detecting rare cells in a fluid sample comprises the rare cell and other cells. The microfluidic device comprises an inlet for receiving the fluid sample, a labyrinth channel structure in fluid communication with the inlet, and an outlet in fluid communication with the labyrinth channel structure for collecting the rare cells separated from the other cells in the fluid sample. The labyrinth channel structure comprises at least one channel through which the fluid sample flows. The at least one channel has a plurality of segments and a plurality of corners with each corner defined between adjacent segments. The presence of the plurality of corners induces separation of the rare cells from the other cells in the fluid sample as the rare cells move to a first equilibrium position within the at least one channel when a ratio of inertial lift forces (FZ) and Dean flow (FD) of the fluid sample is from 2 to 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Sunitha Nagrath, Hyeun Joong Yoon, Eric Lin, Max S. Wicha, Lianette Rivera Baez, Diane M. Simeone
  • Patent number: 9089556
    Abstract: The invention provides methods for treating cancer via administering to a patient having a solid tumor a therapeutically effective amount of an antibody against Delta-like ligand 4(Dll4) or other Notch pathway components. The solid tumor may comprise solid tumor stem cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
    Inventors: Michael F. Clarke, Max S. Wicha, Muhammad Al-Hajj
  • Publication number: 20150160227
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating cancer by administering an IL8-CXCR1 pathway inhibitor (e.g., an anti-CXCR1 antibody or Repertaxin) alone or in combination with an additional chemotherapeutic agent such that non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic cancer cells in a subject are killed. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for detecting the presence of and isolating solid tumor stem cells in a patient (e.g., based on the presence of CXCR1 or FBXO21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Max S. Wicha, Christophe Ginestier
  • Publication number: 20150125469
    Abstract: Compositions, kits, and methods for therapeutic screening, diagnostics, and cancer treatment based on the identification or use of the different states of cancer stem cells, including cancer stem cells in the EMT (epithelial to mesenchymal transition) MET (mesenchymal to epithelial transition), and EMT-MET states are disclosed. In some methods, a subject is treated with one therapeutic that targets EMT cancer stem cells and a second therapeutic that targets MET cancers stem cells. In certain methods, the different states of cancer stem cells are distinguished based on markers CD44+CD24?, EpCam?CD49P+(for EMT cancers stem cells), ALDH+ and EPCam+CD49r? (for MET cancers stem cells), and CD44+CD24?ALDH+ (for EMT-MET cancer stem cells). In particular methods, micro RNAs are used to transition to one particular cancer stem cell type (e.g., mir-100 for EMT and mir-93 for MET).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Suling Liu, Max S. Wicha
  • Publication number: 20150094362
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating cancer by administering an IL8-CXCR1 pathway inhibitor (e.g., an anti-CXCR1 antibody or Repertaxin) alone or in combination with an additional chemotherapeutic agent such that non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic cancer cells in a subject are killed. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for detecting the presence of and isolating solid tumor stem cells in a patient (e.g., based on the presence of CXCR1 or FBXO21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Max S. Wicha, Christophe Ginestier
  • Patent number: 8940301
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods of treating cancer by administering an IL8-CXCR1 pathway inhibitor (e.g., an anti-CXCR1 antibody or Repertaxin) alone or in combination with an additional chemotherapeutic agent such that non-tumorigenic and tumorigenic cancer cells in a subject are killed. The present invention also provides compositions and methods for detecting the presence of and isolating solid tumor stem cells in a patient (e.g., based on the presence of CXCR1 or FBXO21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: The Regents of The University of Michigan
    Inventors: Max S. Wicha, Christophe Ginestier
  • Publication number: 20140228290
    Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods to treat cancer with an agent that increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in cancer cell mitochondria (“an XTPP agent”) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, an inhibitor of hydroperoxide metabolism and a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicants: REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, UNIVERSITY OF IOWA RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Douglas R. Spitz, Michael K. Schultz, Kyle Kloepping, Yueming Zhu, Nukhet Aykin-Burns, Max S. Wicha