In vitro Anti-Tumor Efficacy of Trimeric in Head and Neck Cancer

In this project, we will determine the anti-tumor activity of trimeric in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. Trimeric is a novel formulation consisting of three natural products with known anti-cancer activity. The goal of the study was to assess the efficacy of trimeric, as a standard of chemotherapeutic care, to inhibit the viability of HNSCC in vitro. Two established HNSCC cell lines, CAL27 and UMSCC-47, and non-tumorigenic human keratinocytes (HaCaT) were treated with trimeric for 24-72 h and dose response curves were generated. The IC50 values for each treatment regimen for HNSCC cells and HaCaT cells were calculated and compared to determine the therapeutic index. It was determined that trimeric showed chemotherapeutic activity in all three cell lines over both 24 and 48 h treatment regimens. In addition, anti-cancer activity was determined in both HNSCC cell lines in the 72 h trial. No significance was found in differential responses between cell lines. We explored the mechanism of action of trimeric with a focus on promotion of cell toxicity. Annexin V-positive apoptotic CAL27 cells substantiated that trimeric induced apoptosis in this HPV-negative cell line. This proposal has several implications to the field of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Our results provide key insight to the efficacy and mechanism of action of trimeric, a novel formulation of three natural products, on HNSCC. These are necessary initial steps for the development of trimeric as a potential anti-cancer therapeutic to manage HNSCC patients.No embargoAcademic Major: Biolog

TriCurin, a novel formulation of curcumin, epicatechin gallate, and resveratrol, inhibits the tumorigenicity of human papillomaviruspositive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the sixth most prevalent cancer worldwide with about 600,000 new cases diagnosed in the last year. The incidence of human papillomavirus-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV-positive HNSCC) has rapidly increased over the past 30 years prompting the suggestion that an epidemic may be on the horizon. Therefore, there is a clinical need to develop alternate therapeutic strategies to manage the growing number of HPV-positive HNSCC patients. TriCurin is a composition of three food-derived polyphenols in unique stoichiometric proportions consisting of curcumin from the spice turmeric, resveratrol from red grapes, and epicatechin gallate from green tea. Cell viability, clonogenic survival, and tumorsphere formation were inhibited and significant apoptosis was induced by TriCurin in UMSCC47 and UPCI:SCC090 HPV-positive HNSCC cells. Moreover, TriCurin decreased HPV16E6 and HPV16E7 and increased p53 levels. In a pre-clinical animal model of HPV-positive HNSCC, intratumoral injection of TriCurin significantly inhibited tumor growth by 85.5% compared to vehicle group (P \u3c 0.05, n = 7). Our results demonstrate that TriCurin is a potent anti-tumor agent for HPV-positive HNSCC. Further development of TriCurin as a novel anti-cancer therapeutic to manage the HPV-positive HNSCC population is warranted

Hydrogen Storage Materials for Mobile and Stationary Applications: Current State of the Art

One of the limitations to the widespread use of hydrogen as an energy carrier is its storage in a safe and compact form. Herein, recent developments in effective high-capacity hydrogen storage materials are reviewed, with a special emphasis on light compounds, including those based on organic porous structures, boron, nitrogen, and aluminum. These elements and their related compounds hold the promise of high, reversible, and practical hydrogen storage capacity for mobile applications, including vehicles and portable power equipment, but also for the large scale and distributed storage of energy for stationary applications. Current understanding of the fundamental principles that govern the interaction of hydrogen with these light compounds is summarized, as well as basic strategies to meet practical targets of hydrogen uptake and release. The limitation of these strategies and current understanding is also discussed and new directions proposed