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

It is currently estimated that one in every five Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common type of skin cancer that can develop due to the skin’s exposure to the sun. Herein, we prepared a topical gel containing 0.5% v/w phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) for the treatment of SCC. PEITC is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate that has been shown to have efficacy against various types of cancer in preclinical studies. We first incorporated PEITC into a carbomer gel. A uniform formulation was prepared, and its viscosity was appropriate for topical application. We then demonstrated the release of PEITC from the gel into and through a Strat-M skin-like membrane. Finally, the effects of the PEITC-containing gel were tested against SCC and normal keratinocytes skin cells in culture, and these results were compared to those obtained for free 5-fluoruracil (5-FU), a commonly used skin-cancer drug. Our results show that a homogeneous PEITC-containing topical gel can be prepared and used to kill SCC cells. Thus, our formulation may be useful for treating SCC in the clinic.