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Ultra-sensitive Singlet Oxygen Dosimeter for Skin Cancer Treatment and Prevention

Award Number: R44CA250727
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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Ultra-sensitive Singlet Oxygen Dosimeter for Skin Cancer Treatment and Prevention - Project Summary/Abstract Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer. Each year in the U.S. alone over 5.4 million cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer are treated. The annual cost of treating skin cancers in the U.S. is estimated at $8.1 billion. Treatment and prevention of skin cancer is a significant health care challenge. Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with Dartmouth College and Cleveland Clinic, proposes to develop a novel optical dosimetry technology and demonstrate its applications in two areas, i.e., real-time measurement of photosensitizer (PS) and singlet oxygen (O2) during photodynamic therapy (PDT), and non-invasive quantification of singlet O2 produced in skin under UV irradiation. This ultrasensitive, robust dosimeter is based on an innovative “computational spectroscopy” technology and a low-cost hardware configuration. We propose to demonstrate the capability of the singlet O2 dosimeter to guide optimization of PDT protocols for improved skin cancer treatment, as well as to support biomedical research focused on understanding skin damage/carcinogenesis by solar UV irradiation with a goal of accelerating the development of more effective sunscreen products. PDT is a targeted, minimally invasive treatment option for skin cancer. During PDT, singlet oxygen (O2) is produced and is responsible for the cell destruction. At the present time it is difficult, if not impossible, to predict the response of an individual to PDT. Solar UV irradiation causes direct DNA damage and thus skin carcinogenesis. UV irradiation on the skin also generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) including singlet O2, which also contributes to DNA damage. However, the carcinogenesis of ROS produced by UVA is not well understood, hindering developing more effective sunscreen products that protect against UVA and longer wavelengths. Real-time quantification of singlet O2 will benefit both applications, which, in turn, will lead to advancements in skin cancer therapy and prevention. The overall aim of the proposed Fast Track program is to develop and demonstrate the proposed real-time singlet O2 dosimetry technology. PSI will work with Dartmouth Hitchcock Hospital and Cleveland Clinic to demonstrate its application in both PDT and UV skin damage investigations. Beiersdorf, a major producer of skin care products will participate as a consultant at no cost to the program. Phase I will focus on demonstrating the feasibility of the proposed technology, by developing two prototypes and testing them on small scale in vivo (mice) and ex-vivo (human skin) experiments. During Phase II, the prototypes will be optimized and the improved Gen-2 prototypes will be distributed to three institutes for independent testing during large-scale animal studies and limited human patient testing. Successful completion of these tasks will lead to a noninvasive, robust singlet O2/PS dosimeter that could benefit research and clinical practice for curing and preventing skin cancer.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = -$75,563 )
2026	2022	PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC.	20 NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS CENTER DR	ANDOVER	MA	01810	ESSEX	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	3	11/28/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$75,563
														Subtotal = -$75,563

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2024	2022	PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC.	20 NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS CENTER DR	ANDOVER	MA	01810	ESSEX	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	3	7/11/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $905,953 )
2022	2022	PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC.	20 NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS CTR DR	ANDOVER	MA	01810	ESSEX	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	002	3	6/15/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$905,953
2022	2021	PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC.	20 NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS CTR DR	ANDOVER	MA	01810	ESSEX	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	001	2	11/15/2021	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$13,215
2022	2020	PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC.	20 NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS CTR DR	ANDOVER	MA	01810	ESSEX	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	1	11/15/2021	NEW	-$13,215
														Subtotal = $905,953

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $926,220 )
2021	2021	PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC.	20 NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS CTR DR	ANDOVER	MA	01810	ESSEX	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	2	6/25/2021	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$926,220
														Subtotal = $926,220

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $400,000 )
2020	2020	PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC.	20 NEW ENGLAND BUSINESS CTR DR	ANDOVER	MA	01810	ESSEX	USA	Cancer Treatment Research	000	1	5/6/2020	NEW	$400,000
														Subtotal = $400,000

Grand Total All Awards = $2,156,610

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Ultra-sensitive Singlet Oxygen Dosimeter for Skin Cancer Treatment and Prevention

Award Number: R44CA250727

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2025

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