Grants Funded
ASPS/PSF leadership is committed to continuing to provide high levels of investigator-initiated research support to ensure that plastic surgeons have the needed research resources to be pioneers and innovators in advancing the practice of medicine.
Research Abstracts
Search The PSF database to have easy access to full-text grant abstracts from past PSF-funded research projects 2003 to present. All abstracts are the work of the Principal Investigators and were retrieved from their PSF grant applications. Several different filters may be applied to locate abstracts specific to a particular focus area or PSF funding mechanism.
The Anti-Neoplastic Effect Of Aminosterol Squalamine On Melanoma
Principal Investigator
Ashley Amalfi MD
Ashley Amalfi MD
Year
2012
2012
Institution
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine
Funding Mechanism
Pilot Research Grant
Pilot Research Grant
Focus Area
Cosmetic, Other
Cosmetic, Other
Abstract
Carcinoma of the skin is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in the United States, with the most deadly type being malignant melanoma. The incidence of this disease has continued to rise for the last three decades, with an estimated 70,000 individuals expected to receive a new diagnosis of malignant melanoma in 2011 (ACS). The American Cancer Society predicts that 9,000 Americans will die from this disease this year alone. Despite the emergence of multiple new therapies and ongoing clinical trials, and a focus on education and skin cancer prevention, the death rate in patients over 50 years old continues to rise. Squalamine, a recently discovered aminosterol, has been shown to be effective as both an antibiotic and anti-viral as well as maintaining antineoplastic properties. This intrinsic antineoplastic effect of squalamine has been studied in the literature for its clinical capacity to reduce small cell lung cancer progression. Here, we suggest an additional role of squalamine in inducing the destruction of malignant melanoma via induction of apoptosis and/or necrosis of melanoma cells through angiogenic inhibition. It is with these funds, we offer a potential novel therapy using squalamine as an injectant adjuvant for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma.
Carcinoma of the skin is the most common type of cancer diagnosed in the United States, with the most deadly type being malignant melanoma. The incidence of this disease has continued to rise for the last three decades, with an estimated 70,000 individuals expected to receive a new diagnosis of malignant melanoma in 2011 (ACS). The American Cancer Society predicts that 9,000 Americans will die from this disease this year alone. Despite the emergence of multiple new therapies and ongoing clinical trials, and a focus on education and skin cancer prevention, the death rate in patients over 50 years old continues to rise. Squalamine, a recently discovered aminosterol, has been shown to be effective as both an antibiotic and anti-viral as well as maintaining antineoplastic properties. This intrinsic antineoplastic effect of squalamine has been studied in the literature for its clinical capacity to reduce small cell lung cancer progression. Here, we suggest an additional role of squalamine in inducing the destruction of malignant melanoma via induction of apoptosis and/or necrosis of melanoma cells through angiogenic inhibition. It is with these funds, we offer a potential novel therapy using squalamine as an injectant adjuvant for the treatment of cutaneous melanoma.
Biography
Ashley Amalfi, MD is a PGY III Resident in an Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, IL. She received her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, NY. She previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and in art history at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Dr. Amalfi has authored multiple book chapters, journal articles, and abstracts during her academic career.
Ashley Amalfi, MD is a PGY III Resident in an Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Program at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, IL. She received her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester, NY. She previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in fine arts and in art history at The George Washington University in Washington, DC. Dr. Amalfi has authored multiple book chapters, journal articles, and abstracts during her academic career.