Targeting ER stress to induce selective toxicity using AEA and its novel metabolite, 15deoxy, delta12,14PGJ2-EA

More than 2 million individuals are newly diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) each year. Unfortunately, many pharmacological agents and surgical interventions used to eradicate NMSC cause significant adverse effects in non-tumor cells due to an inability to selectively target tumor cells. Research from our group suggests that the endocannabinoid, anandamide, also known as N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and its novel metabolic product, 15deoxy,delta12,14 PGJ2-ethanolamide (15dPGJ2-EA) selectively target tumor cells by exploiting the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway which is active in tumor but not non-tumor keratinocytes. Based on the aforementioned selectivity, we expect that AEA and 15dPGJ2-EA will exhibit a favorable safety and tolerability profile. The ER stress pathway is also active in various types of tumors therefore AEA and 15dPGJ2-EA will likely be effective against a wide variety of malignancies.

Scholars @ ECU