Conference presentation
EBC-46, a novel cancer therapy from Queensland's tropical rainforest
USC Research Conference, 2014 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 14-Jul-2014–18-Jul-2014)
University of the Sunshine Coast
2014
Abstract
Cancer has a greater impact on the health of Australians than any other disease. In 2011, more than 40,000 Australians died of cancer (accounting for 30% of all deaths) and it is estimated that 120,000 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2014. On average, one in two Australians will develop cancer and one in five will die from it before the age of 85. The result is significant morbidity and reduction in quality of life for individuals affected but also a direct health system cost of $3.8 billion per year. Surgery, chemotherapy and ionising radiation are the mainstays for treatment of cancer but can be limited in efficacy and can cause significant side effects to patients. New treatment options are desperately required. EBC-46 is a terpenoid, small molecule natural product that was identified from the Australian tropical rainforest tree, Fontainea picrosperma (blushwood), by the Australian biotechnology company EcoBiotocs. EBC-46 has shown significant anti-cancer activity in mouse xenograft models, spontaneous tumours in cats, horses and dogs, and in Tasmanian devils with facial tumour disease. EBC-46 is administered by direct injection into the tumour and tumour destruction usually occurs within days, with rapid healing of the site and minimal side effects when the drug is used at therapeutic doses. EBC-46 cannot be synthesised at commercial scale and will therefore be manufactured for clinical use by extraction and purification from blushwood fruit. As a result, blushwood plantations will be required to enable ongoing drug supply. This presentation summarises the current progress in the formal drug development of EBC-46, as well as the research undertaken at USC that aims to ensure a sustainable supply of blushwood fruit for the manufacture of this exciting potential new treatment for solid tumours.
Details
- Title
- EBC-46, a novel cancer therapy from Queensland's tropical rainforest
- Authors
- Steven Ogbourne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
- Conference details
- USC Research Conference, 2014 (Sunshine Coast, Australia, 14-Jul-2014–18-Jul-2014)
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast
- Date published
- 2014
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2014 The Author.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99448869402621
- Output Type
- Conference presentation
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