Arginine-lowering enzymes against cancer: a technocommercial analysis through patent landscape.

INTRODUCTION: Rise in incidence of various cancers and growing adoption of biological therapy to avoid side effects of conventional cancer therapies is driving the growth of the cancer biotherapy market globally. One such therapy available for the treatment of certain tumors employs arginine-lowering enzymes (ALEs). Several patents have been filed in this technology domain, and many Phase I/II clinical trials of the ALEs especially arginine deiminase (ADI) are underway. AREAS COVERED: Patents and clinical trials in the domain of ALEs for the treatment of cancer were studied with an objective to understand technology trends, targeted areas, key players, and inventors involved. EXPERT OPINION: Amongst the various ALEs, ADI is the most promising enzyme for cancer therapy. ADI-based cancer therapy holds potential in treating liver, skin, lung, gastrointestinal, and blood cancer. ADI-PEG20 has proved to be very effective when used as a component of combination therapy in a first-line treatment. Polaris Group holds the worldwide rights for ADI-PEG20 and is the leading player in developing ADI as a therapeutic agent. Many clinical studies, especially in a combinatorial approach, are underway whose success will pave the way for ADI-PEG to the multimillion cancer market.