Working in collaboration with faculty from the Medical College of Ohio, IITRI scientists have been awarded a three-year grant from the National Cancer Institute to develop molecular biomarkers for murine lung tumors induced by cigarette smoke.

Biomarkers to be studied in smokeexposed mice will include differential gene expression (microarray and PCR techniques), DNA adduct formation, hypomethylation of specific target genes, cell proliferation and apoptosis.

The goal of these studies is to identify biomarkers that will be useful as surrogate endpoints for lung cancer chemoprevention trials.

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Dr. Ali S. Faqi, study director for teratology and reproductive toxicology at IITRI, will display the results of his study “Developmental Toxicity Assessment of a Soy-Derived Protease Inhibitor (Bowman-Birk Inhibitor) in Rats” in a poster presentation at the Teratology Society meeting June 22- 27 in Scottsdale, AZ.

Bowman-Birk Inhibitor (BBI) is a serine protease inhibitor found in soybeans, lima beans, chickpeas, rice and other foodstuffs. Epidemiologic data suggest that consumption of diets rich in soy may reduce the risk of breast, colon and prostate cancer. Studies conducted in several experimental models demonstrate that dietary exposure to BBI can protect against cancer induction in several experimental model systems.

In consideration of the possible use of BBI as a cancer preventive agent in women of child-bearing age, the present study was conducted to determine whether developmental toxicity is induced by maternal exposure to BBI during the period of major organogenesis.

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IITRI’s biodefense program received A+ grades in all five technical and management categories from a classified U.S. government sponsor in April.

“This represents a significant technical achievement in a highly complex program, and reflects very positively on our entire organization,” says Dr. David McCormick, vice-president and director of IITRI Life Sciences.

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