SBIR-STTR Award

The long term goal is to develop topical therapy for cancer with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-tumorigenic properties. EPA has no known side effects other than a mild increase in bleeding time. This project will develop the technology for purifying an EPA-bearing lipid from cultured murine algae and test its effectiveness in reducing nevi and/or papilloma development in two murine models of cancer, both initiated with dimethylbenz(a)anthrazine. SENCAR mice, which are particularly sensitive to squamous cell carcinoma, will be promoted with 12-O- tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. SKH hairless mice, which are sensitive to melanoma induction, will be promoted with UVB irradiation. Phase 11 will focus on production scale-up, development of application vehicles, toxicity testing, and longer term animal testing. Potential commercial application includes topical therapy for skin cancer as well as epithelial cancers that occur in the rectum and esophagus.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research: The product to be developed with this grant is for treatment of skin cancer and internal epithelial cancers, such as of the esophagus. The incidence of these cancers is rising rapidly.National Cancer Institute (NCI)

The long-term goal of this project is to develop an anti-inflammatory drug, containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) isolated from cultured marine algae, for topical treatment of psoriasis, eczema and acne. Commercial application is to supply a pharmaceutical firm with bulk product. The Phase II portion is to carry development most of the way toward Investigational New Drug Status.Methodologies are to:(1) select the most favorable algal isolates through edema and intradermal distribution studies,(2) further characterize the product chemically,(3) create a vehicle for topical application,(4) examine anti-inflammatory properties through edema and cell proliferation assays using murine and human skin graft models, and(5) conduct initial toxicity tests with acute oral, acute dermal, and skin sensitizing assays.Potential for technical invention includes:(1) use of EPA as a substrate that yields noninflammatory metabolites from the eicosanoid cascade in epidermal cells,(2) topical delivery of EPA with natural lipids, and(3) new technology in aquacultural production and purification of the drug.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:The product is a topical application to treat psoriasis, eczema, acne, and atopic dermatitis, which collectively afflict 14 million people in the U. S.National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)