Patents by Inventor Thonas C. CHEN

Thonas C. CHEN 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).

  • Methods and compositions for inducing apoptosis by stimulating ER stress
    Patent number: 8637564
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in selected cells by aggravating ER-stress. The aggravation of ER-stress is achieved in a specific manner by inhibiting SERCA (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase), leading to elevated level of cytoplasmic calcium concentration, yet without inhibiting the activity of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) or triggering the release of histamine. Induction of apoptosis may be enhanced by first inducing or further aggravating ER-stress through inhibition of proteasome or proteases. Also provided are compounds and compositions useful as ER-stress aggravating agents, methods for screening, selecting, identifying and designing the same and methods for treating diseased conditions by inducing apoptosis through specific and selective aggravation of ER-stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Nicos A. Petasis, Florence M. Hofman, Stan G. Louie, Thonas C. Chen, Axel H. Schonthal
  • METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR INDUCING APOPTOSIS BY STIMULATING ER STRESS
    Publication number: 20110318837
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inducing apoptosis in selected cells by aggravating ER-stress. The aggravation of ER-stress is achieved in a specific manner by inhibiting SERCA (sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase), leading to elevated level of cytoplasmic calcium concentration, yet without inhibiting the activity of COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) or triggering the release of histamine. Induction of apoptosis may be enhanced by first inducing or further aggravating ER-stress through inhibition of proteasome or proteases. Also provided are compounds and compositions useful as ER-stress aggravating agents, methods for screening, selecting, identifying and designing the same and methods for treating diseased conditions by inducing apoptosis through specific and selective aggravation of ER-stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Axel H. SCHONTHAL, Nicos A. PETASIS, Florence M. HOFMAN, Stan G. LOUIE, Thonas C. CHEN