SUMMARY

Tufts University investigator, Joel Mason and his team, has discovered a novel drug with Curcumin and Vitamin B6 that effectively alters pro-oncogenic inflammatory pathways trigged by obesity. This regimen has demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce tumor multiplicity and tumor burden in obese mice.

PROBLEM

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. Obesity poses up to a 70% increased risk of CRC as well as an increased risk of death; in 2018, 42.4% of the American adult population was obese. The current approach for diagnosis relies on screening colonoscopies. However a colonoscopy is an invasive procedure with well defined risks and variable results: 2-12% of colonoscopies miss large pre-cancerous polyps. Moreover the cost of these periodical screenings pose a large financial burden on the healthcare system. Thus, improved techniques for preventing CRC is a large unmet need.

SOLUTION

The combination of the potent anti-inflammatory agents, Curcumin and Vitamin B6, provide systemic and colon-specific inflammation relief. This regimen is low-cost, non-invasive, and well-tolerated.

SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

In a mouse model of obesity-promoted CRC, the combination of curcuminoid compounds and Vitamin B6 (C+B) significantly suppresses obesity-promoted CRC. This is evident by a reduction in tumor multiplicity and burden in comparison to the high-fat diet (HFD) mice  without treatment (figures). Importantly this effect is only seen when the agents are in a combined treatment. In vivo data supports the significant reduction of PI3K, Wnt, and NF-kB pathway activation, circulating Il-6 levels, and fecal calprotectin concentration.

Advantages

-Low cost

-Non-invasive

-Well-tolerated

Applications

-Prevention of CRC

-Extension to any obesity related cancers

IP STATUS  PCT patent application filed May 2020.

Licensing Contact

Emma Anderson
Emma.Anderson633264@tufts.edu