NDSU awarded colon cancer research grant

BY LISA GIBSON

Researchers in North Dakota State University’s College of Health Professions will use a $435,000 competitive grant to study unique therapies to combat colon cancer and lessen chemotherapy side effects. The competitive grant comes from the National Cancer Institute and the Institutes of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health.

Some studies have shown that diets high in Omega 6 fatty acids play a role in cancer development, which might be caused by a membrane-bound enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX), according to the NDSU College of Health Professions. COX can catalyze many of the fatty acids in the body that form harmful products thought to promote cancer growth. “Cancer patients often have high COX-2 levels from cancer cells and tumors and current cancer treatment focuses on limiting those high levels,” says Steven Qian, the study’s principal researcher and assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences in NDSU’s School of Pharmacy, in a statement. “This classic approach to develop COX-2 inhibitors as drugs, however, could limit the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs and also result in safety concerns.” COX-2 inhibitors used in cancer treatment can severely injure the gastrointestinal tract, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, he says.

“This research has a novel strategy and focuses on the development of a potential cancer therapeutic approach,” Qian tells Prairie Business. “We explore the commonly high expression levels of COX-2 in cancer and the more abundant Omega 6 fatty acids in human diets. There is no similar research already conducted at NDSU and any other place, as this is a paradigm-shifting research for COX biology in cancer.”

It’s unclear precisely how Omega 6 fatty acids can influence human health, but Qian’s lab has demonstrated they could have beneficial effects similar to Omega 3 fatty acids, which are commonly manipulated for use in cancer treatment. Preliminary data from Qian’s lab show that through COX-catalyzed peroxidation, Omega 6 fatty acids produce exclusive free radicals that inhibit cancer growth, according to Qian. Meanwhile, its downstream product produces free radicals that could stimulate cancer growth. His team will further investigate the underlying mechanisms to develop a workable approach for a new colon cancer therapy or a complement to current chemotherapies.

“It might change the ways for future treatment as well as preventing cancers,” Qian says. “A new concept about treating cancers could be established from the study, which will set NDSU apart from other research institutions in cancer research.”

Charles Peterson, dean of NDSU’s College of Health Professions, says in a statement, “This competitive grant award recognizes the high caliber of research conducted in the College of Health Professions and the significant role of pharmaceutical sciences faculty in contributing to help develop solutions to treat diseases such as cancer.”

“The outcome of this research could guide us in optimizing the effectiveness of colon cancer therapies and potentially assure safer outcomes for cancer patients,” Qian tells Prairie Business. PB

Lisa Gibson Editor, Prairie Business 701.787.6753