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Principal Investigator: Joseph Wakshlag
Contact Information: E-mail: jw37@cornell.edu - Phone: 607-253-4389
Sponsor: Winn Feline Foundation
Grant Number: W 08-0027
Title: Feline Squamous Cell Carcinoma: The Effects of 5-Lipoxygenase Inhibition and Prevalence of Upregulation
Annual Direct Cost: $14,150
Project Period: 03/01/08-02/28/09
DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Feline squamous cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 6-8% of feline cancers afflicting approximately 50,000 cats in the United States every year. Despite more progressive treatments in oncology there are few significant alternatives other than radiation treatment. Cyclooxygenase-2 metabolism of arachidonic acid has recently been identified in some oral feline squamous cell carcinomas and may play a role in progression or initiation of the disease. However, more recently rodent and human oral squamous cell carcinoma have shown that lipoxygenase (LOX) expression may play an equal, if not greater role in cancer invasiveness/progression. Additionally, our preliminary data suggests that LOX may be more important to cell proliferation and is overexpressed in oral feline squamous cell carcinoma. The expression of 5-LOX in feline tumors has yet to be characterized, however there are non-steroidal dual inhibitors of COX-2 and 5-LOX available in the companion animal market that may be useful palliative treatment, particularly for oral squamous cell carcinoma. An extensive study into the role of 5-LOX in squamous cell carcinoma proliferation and progression, as well as its expression and activity in naturally occurring in feline squamous cell carcinoma is warranted, particularly due to the recent success of COX-2/5-LOX inhibitors in models of squamous cell carcinoma.
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