SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of Phase I research is to establish the Carcinogenesis Information Database Environmental Substances (CIDES) as a prototype database containing numerical properties data for environmental substances which are known or thought to have carcinogenic properties. The goal will be to produce a database which includes physical-chemical property data, both positive and negative short-term test results, and human and animal carcinogenesis data.A unique aim of this research plan is to apply objective criteria to the experimental studies and data in the database in order to derive a pair of numbers which rate: (1) the probability that the substance is a carcinogen, and (2) the reliability of the test results on which that probability is based. These two ratings will be combined into a Carcinogenicity Ratio which will be applied to each factor. In addition, each physical-chemical datapoint will be coded with a quality indicator where possible.Results of the Phase I effort will provide the basis for compiling and implementing an evaluated database for over 1000 known and potential carcinogens during Phase II. The database and its associated software will be suitable for online search and retrieval and as machine-readable products for researchers into oncologic effects.National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

The objective of the proposed research is to establish an integrated and easily accessible database containing factual information on carcinogenic and physical-chemical properties and environmental fate of substances that are or might be carcinogenic. The new database, to be called Carcinogenesis Information Database of Environmental Substances (CIDES), with its associated software, will be suitable for online search and retrieval and as machine-readable products for scientists and health officials in public, private, and academic sectors.CIDES will include information from existing databases and will go beyond them by (1) providing innovative summary information (carcinogenicity ratio) giving the likelihood and the strength of the evidence that a substance is a carcinogen; (2) combining physical-chemical properties and environmental fate information with carcinogenicity and short-term test data into a single source; (3) increasing the number of substances and including radioactive compounds and physical agents; and (4) providing negative results of adequately conducted biological tests for each study extracted into the database.In Phase I, the feasibility of the work was established successfully by constructing a prototype database for 10 substances. Implementation of Phase II will proceed with the goal of compiling information for over 1,000 substances and designing an online, user-interactive access system.National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)