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Project Description

Please note that we are a research service provider, not a pharmacy or clinic, so we are unable to see patients and do not offer diagnostic and treatment services for individuals.

Lacrimal Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (LGACC)

The formation and progression of lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (LGACC) is influenced by a multitude of genetic, molecular, and epigenetic changes. Protheragen is a leading provider of LGACC diagnostics and therapeutics development services.

Introduction to Lacrimal Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (LGACC)

Lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (LGACC) represents a unique and aggressive form of cancer which originates from the lacrimal gland. This type of cancer is challenging to treat in oncology due to its high recurrence rate, propitious nature of metastasis, and dismal prognosis. LGACC accounts for roughly 66 per cent of malignant tumors of the lacrimal gland and is the most common type of epithelial neoplasm, accounting for estimates of 1.5 per cent of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) cases. The most affected individuals are in the 40-60 age group, and a higher proportion of women are afflicted as well.

Schematic representation of the MYB/NFIB and MYBL1/NFIB gene fusions.

Fig.1 Diagrammatic representation of the MYB/NFIB and MYBL1/NFIB gene fusions. (Powell S. K., et al., 2023)

Histopathological Analysis of Lacrimal Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Molecular Diagnostics
The use of molecular diagnostics is essential in the accurate detection and analysis of LGACC. Methods like FISH, PCR, and NGS are employed to identify gene fusions involving MYB-NFIB, as well as other changes. For instance, the FISH method with dual color breaks apart probes can visually confirm the diagnosis of LGACC by demonstrating rearrangement of both MYB and NFIB genes.
Histopathological Diagnostics
The histopathological examination is still the gold standard for the diagnosis of LGACC. The tumor shows distinct histological patterns: tubular, cribriform, and solid. The solid pattern is associated with a worse prognosis due to the proliferation of pleomorphic cells and high mitotic activity. The differentiation of LGACC from other tumors of the lacrimal gland can be aided by immunohistochemical staining with the markers p63 and MYB.

Therapeutics Development for Lacrimal Gland Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Chemotherapy

For LGACC that is advanced or metastatic, systemic chemotherapy, particularly with cisplatin and doxorubicin, may be indicated. While his research is still underway, Intra-Arterial Cytoreductive Chemotherapy (IACC) appears to improve local control and disease-free survival. Still, the effectiveness of chemotherapy is partially offset by the tumor's resistance to standard therapeutics modalities.

Targeted Therapy

Research is being conducted on the development of targeted therapies centered on molecular drivers like MYB, Notch, and ATR. Clinical studies are being conducted on the use of MYB inhibitors, brontictuzumab and AL101 which are Notch pathway inhibitors, and VX-970 which is an ATR inhibitor. The goal of these therapies is to shift crucial oncogenic pathways and enhance the prognosis.

Immunotherapy

Research is in progress to ascertain whether immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer vaccines can be used with LGACC. The TetMYB vaccine that targets the MYB-NFIB fusion is under phase I clinical trials. The effectiveness of therapies is likely to improve when immunotherapy is combined with other methods of therapeutics.

Our Services

Protheragen recognizes that all LGACC projects have distinct features which require specialized approaches to fulfil their R&D requirements. With our customized services, we offer bespoke support ranging from the development of diagnostic assays to the formulation of therapeutic strategies.

Diagnostics Development

Karyotype Analysis Service
Omics Analysis Service
Biomarker Development Service
Artificial Intelligence Service

Therapeutic Development

Small Molecule Drug
Cell Therapy
Gene Therapy
Therapeutic Antibody
Therapeutic Peptide
Therapeutic Protein

Preclinical Research

Pharmacodynamics Study Services
Pharmacokinetics Study Services
Drug Safety Evaluation Services

Disease Models

MYB-NFIB Fusion Gene Overexpression Models
Human LGACC Cell Xenograft Models
Notch Pathway Transgenic Zebrafish Models
Chemical Induced LGACC-like Tumor Models

Protheragen's preclinical research services are tailored to support the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutics for LGACC. Our state-of-the-art facilities and expert team provide comprehensive support for preclinical studies, including in vitro and in vivo model development, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) studies, and efficacy and safety evaluations. If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us.

References

Powell, Sarah Kate, Karina Kulakova, and Susan Kennedy. "A review of the molecular landscape of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the lacrimal gland." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24.18 (2023): 13755.
Yang, Jie, et al. "Multimodal therapy in the management of lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma." BMC ophthalmology 19 (2019): 1-8.
Yan, Hai-Han, et al. "Treatment of lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma: a systematic review and Meta-analysis." International Journal of Ophthalmology 17.1 (2024): 164.