<p> The KU Center for Technology Commercialization “Maximize the impact of University intellectual property for the benefit of the University and society.” Pancreatic Cancer Prevention by Natural Products</p><p>Technology ID: 11KU008L</p><p>Patent Status: A U.S. provisional patent application has been filed.</p><p>Introduction: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, killing approximately 32,000 Americans each year. The survival rate associated with pancreatic cancer is Additional KU technologies available for extremely low, as it is both difficult to detect and treat. Surgery is complicated and can be licensing listed at: performed only in a small number of cases and current chemotherapy treatments yield limited www.ctc.ku.edu success rates. While new drugs have been developed, clinical trials have shown many to be highly toxic. Thus, effective and non-toxic drugs for treatment of pancreatic cancer will prove tremendously beneficial to society and will have valuable industry applications.</p><p>Invention: This invention discloses the potential use and application of four natural products— rottlerin, embelin, ellagic acid, and sulforaphane—to inhibit the growth of pancreatic cancer cells. These same agents also inhibit survival pathways that can be activated by oncogenic KRAS. Because activation of KRAS has been shown in approximately 85% of pancreatic cancer patients, the inhibition of downstream signaling molecules by these cancer preventative agents could be an Subscribe to KUCTC Newsletter: attractive strategy for the treatment and prevention of pancreatic cancer. The KUCTC Newsletter is published by E- mail. Sulforaphane, in particular, has been shown to enhance the biological effects of drugs currently used to kill pancreatic cancer stem cells. Because stem cells contribute to cancer To subscribe, E-mail: [email protected] recurrence and drug resistance, the use of sulforaphane to kill cancer stem cells will provide additional benefits in managing cancer.</p><p>Advantages: o Bioavailable and non-toxic. Derived from plants or other natural sources shown to be safe for human use. o Target survival pathways activate by oncogenic Kras, activation of which is associated with 85& of all pancreatic cancers. o Co-administration can enhance the biological effects of other drugs on pancreatic cancer stem cells. University of Kansas Center for Technology o Shown to inhibit human pancreatic cancer cells and pancreatic cancer stem cells in vitro Commercialization and block and inhibit cancer progression in vivo.</p><p>2385 Irving Hill Road Possible Applications: 216 Youngberg Hall Lawrence, KS 66045 o Cancer treatment and preventive agents. Telephone: 785-864-7783 o Co-administration with anticancer drugs or irradiation to sensitize cancer stem cells. Fax: 785-864-5272 Email: [email protected] Contact: Matt Koenig, Licensing Associate, KUCTC at: [email protected] </p><p>Updated: November 7, 2011</p>