Dr.John Phillips-We are progressing with our preclinical research involving nanoparticle therapy of bladder cancer, have submitted a major grant to the NIH to hire two full time post-doctoral researchers, and thanks to STR supporting two emerging medical students for their summer research projects. The research itself shows that nanoparticle based cisplatin therapy for nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer appears as effective and less toxic than standard of care therapy. Our next focus will be on dose optimization and duration
Dr. Sensuke Konno -We have been working on the bioactive extracts of monk fruit, mogrosides (MOG), with potential anticancer activity. Such mogroside-based products are commercially available as the dietary products. We then investigated if such products would have anticancer activity against bladder cancer cells in vitro. A number of experiments have been already performed and we think this study could be completed by the end of this year. We have thus far found that two of four products tested had potent anticancer activity, resulting in a significant reduction in cell viability, i.e. the inhibition of cancer cell growth and/or cancer cell death. Such an anticancer mechanism is more likely associated with a G1 cell cycle arrest, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and eventually apoptosis. Hence, monk fruit extracts appear to have anticancer activity against bladder cancer cells, significantly inhibiting cell growth and leading ultimately to apoptosis. They are not only used as the dietary products but also considered as the potential therapeutic option for bladder cancer. We think they are rather promising and further studies are required for eventually assessing their efficacy on actual patients.
News from the doctors 2021
Dr.Phillips-We now have excellent bladder tumor responses to nanoparticle delivered cancer therapy which appears to be less toxic to the bladder than traditional chemotherapy. Nanoparticle delivered chemotherapy also appears to be absorbed over a longer period of time than chemotherapy alone. Thanks to Seize the Ribbon, we are now moving forward with a recent application for federal grant support to begin the comprehensive process of starting our first clinical trial in humans.
Dr.Konno-We have studied one of the bioactive fruit extracts called “mogroside” found in “monk fruit”. This extract appears to have anticancer and antioxidant activities possibly against bladder cancer. Our study demonstrates such activities, capable of reducing cell viability of bladder cancer cells in vitro (i.e. an inhibition of cancer cell growth). Although more studies are required for its clinical utility, we think at this point that it could be used for possible prevention of bladder cancer. We have no intention to promote a commercial product but this mogroside products are commercially available today. They are sold as the Lakanto® products (sweeteners) that are used for cooking or sugar substitute (for coffee, tea etc.). In fact, mogroside has been approved by the FDA, as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for its use. As they are not sugar, they are widely used by diabetic patients in Japan because of no effects on the blood glucose levels. We haven’t yet established the effective dosage or how much you need to take them to be effective, but a daily intake of these products may give you some beneficial effects for the time-being. Although it’s a little complicated and time consuming, we will try to figure out a daily amount needed to be effective as our next study.
We would first like to thank all of our supporters from last year and tell you that because of your donations to Seize the Ribbon, we have been able to support innovation and progress in the treatment of bladder cancer, a disease known for its great toll on quality of life, life expectancy, and cost of therapy. Your efforts have supported Drs. John Phillips and Senuki Konno at New York Medical College who continue the groups’ work in both molecular and herbal approaches to bladder cancer treatments. FOLLOW OUR PROGRESS- Updates- Despite Covid-19 shut downs funds were still raised and research continued. Two new research fellows were added to the team. Welcome Drs. Maheen Hossain and Danielle Guilfoil! And Dr. Phillips started nanoparticle trials to prove safety! Also publications written about Chemosensitizing effect of maitake mushroom extracton carmustine cytotoxicity in human bladder cancer cells was written by Dr. Konno
Update from DR. Phillips: August 2019 "Our laboratory continues to make progress with nanoparticle therapies for bladder cancer thanks to Seize the Ribbon support. Nanoparticles are mere, microscopic packages of proteins or fat globules that 'hold in' other compounds like chemotherapies. Nanoparticles are very temperamental and require sophisticated preparations and 'quality testing' to ensure that they are of the correct size, shape, integrity, and stability, and carry the correct dose of chemotherapy, before there use in any cancer trial. Part of the STR funds are going towards demonstrating the correct dosing and effect of nanoparticle chemotherapy combination on bladder cancers as well as the quality steps required for safe administration in a clinical trial setting."
We have had challenges in timing the preparation of the nanoparticles with the age and disease burden of the experimental transgenic mouse population, which are rather fragile because of their cancers. We're still making progress!
Updated research news from Dr. Phillips 10/2018- "Seize the Ribbon funds went directly to inaugurate new research in bladder cancer nano-therapy. Using a transgenic mouse model, New York Medical College researchers, in collaboration with Bio-Pharma, used a custom-designed nanoparticle that carries a chemotherapy weapon as a 'Trojan Horse'. The mice otherwise develop bladder cancer and pass away earlier than their normal littermates. With nano-particle Trojan Horse, in early results, appears to eradicate bladder cancer leaving only non-cancerous but inflammed cells behind. The group now hopes to expand the research to test different doses of the nano-particles and different chemotherapies packaged within them. Ultimately, Seize the Ribbon fund will support the development of new nano-treatments for bladder cancer in human trials by completing these critical pre-clinical laboratory efforts."
Updated research news from Dr. Phillips: 3/2018-A recent advance was achieved by the group's post-doctoral resident, Dr. Vladimir Valera, who presented his findings on Seize the Ribbon-supported research at last year’s Society of Urologic Oncology in Washington DC. Dr. Valera’s work was awarded first prize beating out researches from Harvard, Memorial Sloane Kettering, and John Hopkins. The research team is also working on a combination approach of Vitamin C and Mitake mushroom exacts which are shown to be safe for human consumption. A clinical trial for early bladder cancers is underway and interested participants can contact Dr. Konno or Dr. Phillips at 914 594 2440 .We want to emphasize that while we focus on Bladder Cancer, Seize the Ribbon supported research dollars from you go beyond a specific cancer and may aid in finding answers to help fight other cancers as well. News from the doctors 2017
Thanks to crucial support from Seize the Ribbon, much has happened with the progress in our research program against bladder cancer. We have a unique genetic mouse model of bladder cancer that we have studied showing the relationship between the expression of a defective gene, Uroplakin, and the development of early bladder cancers. We also have been able to determine the expression level of the Uroplakin gene to identify mouse candidates for our new nanoparticle drug trial. One drug, under development by a partner research firm, Phosphorex, will be used to attack the bladder cancers in genetically affected mice. A second drug, under partnership with Johns Hopkins, will be used to attack bladder cancers that do not specifically express mutant Uroplakin gene. By our next report, we should have rather innovative data as a basis for translational trials. With gratitude and great appreciation John
News From The Doctors 2016
Dr. Phillips talked about exciting new developments during the walkathon-
The bladder has an inner lining well suited as a reservoir. The bladder expands at low pressure, empties while protecting the kidneys from short increases in pressure, and the bladder is nearly impermeable so foreign substances are not absorbed. The impermeability decreases the effectiveness of chemotherapy placed directly into the bladder. Most bladder cancers could be treated if chemotherapy were more effective. We established a collaboration with researchers from NYU and from Qualiber, a tech start up from Chapel Hill, in which chemotherapy is delivered into the bladder packed within tiny nanoparticles. The nanoparticles attach to the bladder wall and are absorbed easily. Then, the packaging or envelope layer of the nanoparticle dissolves releasing the chemotherapy. Our plan, using Seize the Ribbon support, is to test nanoparticle effectiveness in treating bladder cancers in an engineered mouse that develops bladder cancers early in life. Such work is critical to demonstrating effectiveness and safety before moving ahead with any clinical trial
News From The Doctors 2015
1. Dr. Konno published his work on bladder cancer and the anti-cancer effect of herbal drugs in an important journal, citing "Seize the Ribbon" support in the acknowledgements.
2. Dr. Valera submitted his research on a new drug in bladder cancer at last weeks' Society of Urologic Oncology meeting in Washington. There were 200 abstracts submitted and Vladimir's work was chosen as 1st prize for his session. Besides Vladimir, the other 6 awardees were from the Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloane Kettering, Cornell, Johns Hopkins, and the University of Georgia. "Pretty good company".
News From The Doctors 2014
Dr.Philips was explaining while walking together during Seize the Ribbon walk-a-thon ...Here is a short synopsis of the current in-vivo work:
Extracts of maitake mushrooms called the maitake D-fraction (PDF) appear to synergize with vitamin C (VC) in producing an anti-tumor effect. We are currently determining whether there is a tissue- and dose-specific effect of the PDF/VC combination in a controlled murine model. A Phase III trial is being established to determine whether PDF/VC decreases the recurrence and/or progression rate of superficial bladder cancers. The target of PDF/VC appears to be cell cycle regulatory proteins, p21 and p53. We aim to determine whether tumor expression of these two molecules, or the expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-III (FGFR-III) predicts responsiveness to PDF/VC.
Thanks to the generous donations received by Seize The Ribbon we are able to donate $4,000.00 to the Bladder Cancer research lead by Dr. John Phillips in Westchester N.Y. This was half of our goal but for a foundation conceived in 2010 it was great! Now I ask you to join me in getting the word out about our foundation/website and help us to make our new goal of $10,000.00 by December 25,2011. I have already received the first hundred toward our 2011 goal. We are making a difference and please look for updates on how the money is being used by the research team. Happy New Year and Thank You!