Congratulations to Whitney Laboratory Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Sandra Loesgen for her recent grant award from the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund! The Florida Legislature created the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund in 2024 within the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, with oversight by the Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative, to support innovative cancer research and treatment models, including emerging trends that may serve as catalysts for further research and treatments. This opportunity supports groundbreaking research and innovative approaches aimed at combating cancer and improving patient outcomes across Florida.
Project: Preclinical development of mensacarcin as lead structure against melanoma and pediatric brain cancers
The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in 2 men and 1 in 3 women will develop cancer in their lifetime. While the deadliest cancer types in Florida are lung and colorectal cancers, melanoma skin cancer and pediatric brain tumors are prevalent with high rates of metastasis, limited treatment options, and high mortality rates.
Many therapeutics in clinical use today are molecules found in nature. These so-called natural products (NPs) have evolved to fulfill a wide range of ecological purposes and exhibit unparalleled chemical and functional diversity. Natural Products have dominated drug development over the last century - over 60% of all antibiotics, anti-infectives, and cancer drugs have been inspired by natural products. Examples are the clinically used chemotherapeutics Doxorubicin (produced by bacterial) and Taxol (plant origin).
Previously, the Loesgen Lab discovered that mensacarcin, a bacterial natural that can be harvested in high yields by fermentation, has a unique effect on cancer cells. They have conducted extensive preliminary studies and found selective activity against melanoma skin cell lines and the inhibition of metastasis. Most recently, they found that mensacarcin has also activity against aggressive brain cancers, including glioblastoma and neuroblastoma.
"Our proposal lays the foundation to translate mensacarcin’s bioactivity into a new cancer therapeutic. New approaches are needed to combat cancer and natural products, found in nature, may hold the key for better treatments," said Dr. Loesgen. The one year grant ($283,624.90) will support students and postdocs in vitro and in vivo studies.