Patents by Inventor Karl J. Okolotowicz

Karl J. Okolotowicz 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: 7977315
    Abstract: Conjugated nitro alkene compounds hamper or prevent proliferation of cancer cells in cell culture and in cancer patients, which can result in a decrease in tumor size and/or disappearance of the cancer. The compounds may act by interference with cancer cell biochemistry, in which isoprenoid groups such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl become bonded to various oncogenic proteins such as Ras, RhoA, RhoB, or some other growth-related cellular protein(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Arizona Biomedical Research Commission
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Rosemarie F. Hartman, Jason Houtchens
  • Patent number: 7943665
    Abstract: Oncoproteins such as Ras and RhoB are known to induce cell division in an unrestrained manner when such proteins are localized at the inner surface of a cancer cell membrane. The localization is effected by the prenylation reaction, whereby a hydrophobic group (e.g. a farnesyl group) is attached to the protein in the presence of an enzyme (e.g. farnesyl protein transferase). Deactivation of the prenylation enzyme through covalent modification can therefore ultimately result in the mitigation and/or cessation of cancer cell growth. Various prenylation inhibitors having the necessary structural groups to bond covalently, or essentially irreversibly, to the prenylation enzyme include carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds (or masked versions of these compounds) and alpha oxo-epoxides bonded to a hydrophobic, substrate-mimicking group. The carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds also contain a nucleofugal atom or group to enhance the tendency to form covalent bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Arizona Biomedical Research Commission
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Scott R. Lefler, Steven R. Ottersberg, Ann Y. Kim, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Rosemarie F. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20090247520
    Abstract: A method to identify selective inhibitors of antigen receptor-mediated NF-?B activation is provided, as well as compositions having one or more of those inhibitors and methods of using those inhibitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicants: The Burnham Institute for Medical Research, The Human Biomolecular Research Institute
    Inventors: John C. REED, Ranxin SHI, John R. Cashman, Karl J. OKOLOTOWICZ, Daniel RE
  • Publication number: 20090143467
    Abstract: Oncoproteins such as Ras and RhoB are known to induce cell division in an unrestrained manner when such proteins are localized at the inner surface of a cancer cell membrane. The localization is effected by the prenylation reaction, whereby a hydrophobic group (e.g. a farnesyl group) is attached to the protein in the presence of an enzyme (e.g. farnesyl protein transferase). Deactivation of the prenylation enzyme through covalent modification can therefore ultimately result in the mitigation and/or cessation of cancer cell growth. Various prenylation inhibitors having the necessary structural groups to bond covalently, or essentially irreversibly, to the prenylation enzyme include carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds (or masked versions of these compounds) and alpha oxo-epoxides bonded to a hydrophobic, substrate-mimicking group. The carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds also contain a nucleofugal atom or group to enhance the tendency to form covalent bonds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Scott R. Lefler, Steven R. Ottersberg, Ann Y. Kim, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Rosemarie F. Hartman
  • Patent number: 7423170
    Abstract: Oncoproteins such as Ras and RhoB are known to induce cell division in an unrestrained manner when such proteins are localized at the inner surface of a cancer cell membrane. The localization is effected by the prenylation reaction, whereby a hydrophobic group (e.g. a farnesyl group) is attached to the protein in the presence of an enzyme (e.g. farnesyl protein transferase). Deactivation of the prenylation enzyme through covalent modification can therefore ultimately result in the mitigation and/or cessation of cancer cell growth. Various prenylation inhibitors having the necessary structural groups to bond covalently, or essentially irreversibly, to the prenylation enzyme include carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds (or masked versions of these compounds) and alpha oxo-epoxides bonded to a hydrophobic, substrate-mimicking group. The carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds also contain a nucleofugal atom or group to enhance the tendency to form covalent bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Arizona Biomedical Research Commission
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Scott R. Lefler, Steven R. Ottersberg, Ann Y. Kim, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Rosemarie F. Hartman
  • Publication number: 20080113919
    Abstract: Conjugated nitro alkene compounds hamper or prevent proliferation of cancer cells in cell culture and in cancer patients, which can result in a decrease in tumor size and/or disappearance of the cancer. The compounds may act by interference with cancer cell biochemistry, in which isoprenoid groups such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl become bonded to various oncogenic proteins such as Ras, RhoA, RhoB, or some other growth-related cellular protein(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Applicant: ARIZONA BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH COMMISSION
    Inventors: Seth D. ROSE, Karl J. OKOLOTOWICZ, Rosemarie F. HARTMAN, Jason HOUTCHENS
  • Patent number: 7344851
    Abstract: Prenylating enzymes are involved in modifying oncoproteins, such as RAS, so that growth of neoplastic cells becomes uncontrolled. Inactivation of such enzymes can prevent uncontrolled growth. ?-Dicarbonyl compounds can be used to covalently modify and thereby inactivate prenylating enzymes such as protein farnesyltransferase and protein geranylgeranyltransferase. The compounds can be designed to enhance affinity and/or specificity for a particular protein substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Arizona Biomedical Research Commission
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Steven R. Ottersberg, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Dale E. Robinson, Rosemarie F. Hartman, Scott Lefler
  • Patent number: 7312191
    Abstract: Conjugated nitro alkene compounds hamper or prevent proliferation of cancer cells in cell culture and in cancer patients, which can result in a decrease in tumor size and/or disappearance of the cancer. The compounds may act by interference with cancer cell biochemistry, in which isoprenoid groups such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl become bonded to various oncogenic proteins such as Ras, RhoA, RhoB, or some other growth-related cellular protein(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Arizona Biomedical Research Commission
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Rosemarie F. Hartman, Jason Houtchens
  • Patent number: 7019031
    Abstract: Oncoproteins such as Ras and RhoB are known to induce cell division in an unrestrained manner when such proteins are localized at the inner surface of a cancer cell membrane. The localization is effected by the prenylation reaction, whereby a hydrophobic group (e.g. a farnesyl group) is attached to the protein in the presence of an enzyme (e.g. farnesyl protein transferase). Deactivation of the prenylation enzyme through covalent modification can therefore ultimately result in the mitigation and/or cessation of cancer cell growth. Various prenylation inhibitors having the necessary structural groups to bond covalently, or essentially irreversibly, to the prenylation enzyme include carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds (or masked versions of these compounds) and alpha oxo-epoxides bonded to a hydrophobic, substrate-mimicking group. The carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds also contain a nucleofugal atom or group to enhance the tendency to form covalent bonds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: The Arizona Disease Control Research Commission
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Scott R. Lefler, Steven R. Ottersberg, Ann Y. Kim, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Rosemarie F. Hartman
  • Patent number: 7012097
    Abstract: Prenylating enzymes are involved in modifying oncoproteins, such as RAS, so that growth of neoplastic cells becomes uncontrolled. Inactivation of such enzymes can prevent uncontrolled growth. ?-Dicarbonyl compounds can be used to covalently modify and thereby inactivate prenylating enzymes such as protein farnesyltransferase and protein geranylgeranyltransferase. The compounds can be designed to enhance affinity and/or specificity for a particular protein substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: The Arizona Disease Control Research Commission
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Steven R. Ottersberg, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Dale E. Robinson, Rosemarie Hartman, Scott Lefler
  • Publication number: 20030219847
    Abstract: Prenylating enzymes are involved in modifying oncoproteins, such as RAS, so that growth of neoplastic cells becomes uncontrolled. Inactivation of such enzymes can prevent uncontrolled growth. &agr;-Dicarbonyl compounds can be used to covalently modify and thereby inactivate prenylating enzymes such as protein farnesyltransferase and protein geranylgeranyltransferase. The compounds can be designed to enhance affinity and/or specificity for a particular protein substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: The Arizona Disease Control Research Commission
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Steven R. Ottersberg, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Dale E. Robinson, Rosemarie Hartman, Scott Lefler
  • Patent number: 6576436
    Abstract: Prenylating enzymes are involved in modifying oncoproteins, such as RAS, so that growth of neoplastic cells becomes uncontrolled. Inactivation of such enzymes can prevent uncontrolled growth. &agr;-Dicarbonyl compounds can be used to covalently modify and thereby inactivate prenylating enzymes such as protein farnesyltransferase and protein geranylgeranyltransferase. The compounds can be designed to enhance affinity and/or specificity for a particular protein substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: The Arizona Disease Control Research Commission
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Steven R. Ottersberg, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Dale E. Robinson, Rosemarie Hartman, Scott Lefler
  • Publication number: 20020086884
    Abstract: Oncoproteins such as Ras and RhoB are known to induce cell division in an unrestrained manner when such proteins are localized at the inner surface of a cancer cell membrane. The localization is effected by the prenylation reaction, whereby a hydrophobic group (e.g. a farnesyl group) is attached to the protein in the presence of an enzyme (e.g. farnesyl protein transferase). Deactivation of the prenylation enzyme through covalent modification can therefore ultimately result in the mitigation and/or cessation of cancer cell growth. Various prenylation inhibitors having the necessary structural groups to bond covalently, or essentially irreversibly, to the prenylation enzyme include carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds (or masked versions of these compounds) and alpha oxo-epoxides bonded to a hydrophobic, substrate-mimicking group. The carbonyl or thiocarbonyl compounds also contain a nucleofugal atom or group to enhance the tendency to form covalent bonds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Seth D. Rose, Scott R. Lefler, Steven R. Ottersberg, Ann Y. Kim, Karl J. Okolotowicz, Rosemarie F. Hartman