Phenethyl Isothiocyanate-Containing Carbomer Gel for Use against Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Pharmaceutical Sciences

Background:

• Skin cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), affects a significant portion of the population, often linked to sun exposure.
• Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a natural compound, has demonstrated anti-cancer properties in preclinical research.
• Current treatments for SCC exist, but novel therapeutic approaches are continually being explored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a topical gel formulation containing 0.5% phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) for the potential treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
• To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of the PEITC-containing gel against SCC cells compared to normal keratinocytes and a standard treatment.

Main Methods:

• Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) was incorporated into a carbomer gel base, ensuring formulation uniformity and appropriate viscosity for topical application.
• In vitro drug release studies were conducted using a Strat-M skin-like membrane to assess PEITC diffusion.
• Cytotoxicity assays were performed on SCC and normal keratinocyte cell lines, comparing the PEITC gel to free 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).

Main Results:

• A homogeneous topical gel formulation of PEITC was successfully prepared with suitable viscosity for skin application.
• The PEITC-containing gel demonstrated the ability to release the active compound through a skin-like membrane.
• The PEITC gel exhibited significant efficacy in killing SCC cells in vitro, with results comparable to or better than 5-FU in some aspects.

Conclusions:

• The developed PEITC-loaded topical gel is a viable formulation for delivering PEITC to target skin cells.
• This formulation shows potential as an effective therapeutic agent for treating squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
• Further clinical investigation is warranted to explore the therapeutic utility of this PEITC gel for skin cancer treatment.