# IN-VIVO MICROCAPSULE MONITORING OF CARCINOGENS

> **NIH NIH R01** · INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RES ON CANCER · 1991 · $109,356

## Abstract

Identification and elimination of dietary cancer risk factors is the
long-term objective of applying-non-invasive magnetically-retrievable
semi-permeable microencapsulated targets for gastrointestinal (GI)
trapping of DNA-damaging agents, with their eventual use for dosimetry
in linking dietary components with alterations to mucosal biomarkers.
Microcapsule utility and related major modulations by human diets of
carcinogen action have been demonstrated, while microcapsule structural
advances and ethical acceptance have been achieved.  The proposed
continuation is to precede/complement extensive human use (1922) and is
a balance of 1) application of existing microcapsule systems in
understanding how human diets modulate GI cancer risk by altering
exposure of target organs and 2) testing new microcapsule targets and
introducing gene-related targets for more specifically monitoring causes
of critical biological damage.

This is the sole method of GI biomonitoring and the following specific
aims (encompassing actually feasible techniques and biological
meaningfulness of data) are: a) to exploit microcapsule of two trapping
types with physico-chemical assays namely: i) a synthetic,
deoxyguanosine (dG)-simulating target for mass spectral and HPLC
identification of endogenous reactive electrophiles, ii) PEI as an
efficient N-nitrosation substrate; B) to clarify significance of
endogenous GI agents already found by 3 other microcapsule end-points
i.e. endogenous bifunctional alkylating (cross-linking) agents, reduced
oxygen species e.g. hydroxyl radicals, and mutagens with planar
structures; C) to develop and test microcapsule structures permitting
inclusion of intact ras/p53 oligo/poly-nucleotide sequences; D) selected
applications in rodents with already used human diets (and protein
pyrolysates) including elucidation of modulating factors for minimizing
mucosal DNA damage.  The latter includes preliminary studies on effects
of anti-carcinogens, and of microflora vs host metabolism (controlling
hosp phenotypes).

This battery of targets appears to be needed to cover most aspects of
multi-stage carcinogenesis in several GI regions, and many suspected
etiological agents.  In keeping with progress and its potential
importance, this multi-disciplinary study involves 8 recognized extra-
mural experts and their facilities; it is designed to interface directly
with human studies, producing the same systems and information needed
for use in molecular epidemiology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3178355
- **Project number:** 2R01CA039417-06
- **Recipient organization:** INTERNATIONAL AGENCY FOR RES ON CANCER
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HSMZYXZ7M358
- **Principal Investigator:** IAN K O'NEILL
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $109,356
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1988-07-01 → 1994-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3178355

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3178355, IN-VIVO MICROCAPSULE MONITORING OF CARCINOGENS (2R01CA039417-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3178355. Licensed CC0.

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