The Need

Molecular changes due to malignant tumors and toxicity of chemotherapeutic regimen suppress the immune system of cancer patients. This immunosuppression also leaves patients vulnerable to opportunistic infections and reactivation of latent viral or mycobacterial infections. Immunostimulation, or activation of the body's own immune system to combat malignancy, is a promising field in cancer research and treatment. Given the adverse side-effects facilitated by current treatments, innovative agents that promote anti-tumor activity and the host’s immune surveillance are in great demand.

The Technology

Researchers at The Ohio State University, led by Dr. Robert Baiocchi, have found that Silvestrol, isolated from the fruits and twigs of Aglaia foveolata, exhibits a very potent cytotoxic activity against several cancers. Silvestrol can be applied as an immune adjuvant for both preventative vaccination and cellular therapy for an array of malignant and non-malignant diseases, although the primary focus is on the treatment of various cancers. Silvestrol provides direct anti-tumor activity through carcinogenic cell death and indirect tumor activity, such as innate immunity, without the adverse effects of traditional agents and chemotherapeutics. These properties are unique to Silvestrol and represent a highly novel discovery in cancer drug development.

Commercial Applications

• Biologic cancer therapies
• Immunology
• Therapeutics

Benefits/Advantages

• Natural agent
• Anti-tumor activity
  • Direct: anti proliferative, pro-apoptotic/cell death
  • Indirect: potentiate adaptive, innate and humoral immunity
• Enhances immunity to infections