MultiCell Technologies, Inc. has filed a second U.S. patent application concerning methods and formulations to achieve targeted tumor cell death. MCT-485 is a noncoding double stranded micro RNA (miRNA) which has demonstrated oncolytic and immune stimulating activity in vitro models of hepatocellular carcinoma. MCT-485 is currently being evaluated in animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma.

This invention addresses the need to direct the powerful biological effect of miRNAs such as MCT-485 towards tumor cells and away from normal tissues. This patent application describes compositions and methods that target populations of cancerous cells which have an enhanced capability to mediate the process of relapse, progression and metastasis. Not all cancer cells have a tumor initiating capability; this U.S. patent application describes compositions and methods that target cancer by delivering a biologically active, cytotoxic payload of miRNA to only those cells having the high tumor initiating capability that are part of the cancerous process such as cancer stem cells and tumor initiating cells, and to kill those cells without killing cells not directly involved in the process of relapse, progression and metastasis of cancer.