An Oral Candidate Prevention Therapy for Melanoma

Melanomas are aggressive, frequently metastatic tumors responsible for roughly 75% of deaths related to skin cancer. Advanced melanoma is generally refractory to available therapies, and a significant portion will develop distant metastases even with early intervention. Given the continually rising incidence of melanoma despite existing preventive measures such as minimizing exposure to sources of ultraviolet radiation, a need remains for more effective preventive measures, especially in individuals at high risk for developing melanoma. Our vaccine, a sulforaphane-based oral formulation, can prevent melanoma in at risk individuals.

Description

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a naturally occurring compound found in vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower, among many others. SFN is renowned for its anti-cancer properties and is easily isolated from natural sources. Using our identified formulation and dosage, SFN effectively delayed melanoma progression in mice. Additionally, we identified possible biomarkers for the progression of atypical nevi to melanoma.

Applications

· To prevent melanoma progression
· To reduce the progression of atypical nevi into melanoma
· May alter the clinical appearance of atypical nevi, which are non-obligate melanoma precursor lesions and risk markers

Advantages

· May prevent the development and progression of melanoma
· Naturally occurring product with no significant toxicity or side effects
· Delivered orally, and is safe and well tolerated
· Effectiveness is not limited to specific subsets of patients, i.e., those with cancer cells with a specific mutation

Invention Readiness

In vivo data

IP Status

https://patents.google.com/patent/US9393225B2

Related Publication(s)

Jeter, J. M., Bowles, T. L., Curiel‐Lewandrowski, C., Swetter, S. M., Filipp, F. V., Abdel‐Malek, Z. A., Geskin, L. J., Brewer, J. D., Arbiser, J. L., Gershenwald, J. E., Chu, E. Y., Kirkwood, J. M., Box, N. F., Funchain, P., Fisher, D. E., Kendra, K. L., Marghoob, A. A., Chen, S. C., Ming, M. E., … Cassidy, P. B. (2018). Chemoprevention agents for melanoma: A path forward into phase 3 clinical trials. Cancer, 125(1), 18–44. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.31719

Tahata, S., Singh, S. V., Lin, Y., Hahm, E.-R., Beumer, J. H., Christner, S. M., Rao, U. N., Sander, C., Tarhini, A. A., Tawbi, H., Ferris, L. K., Wilson, M., Rose, A., Dietz, C. M., Hughes, E., Fahey, J. W., Leachman, S. A., Cassidy, P. B., Butterfield, L. H., … Kirkwood, J. M. (2018). Evaluation of Biodistribution of Sulforaphane after Administration of Oral Broccoli Sprout Extract in Melanoma Patients with Multiple Atypical Nevi. Cancer Prevention Research, 11(7), 429–438. https://doi.org/10.1158/1940-6207.capr-17-0268

Lobur, D., Davar, D., Singh, S., Beumer, J. H., Edington, H., Tarhini, A. A., Tawbi, H., Zarour, H. M., Talalay, P., & Kirkwood, J. M. (2012). Pilot evaluation of sulforaphane in melanoma patients with multiple atypical nevi: Tissue STAT1 and STAT3 as risk markers. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 30(15_suppl), TPS8606–TPS8606. https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.tps8606