Nanodelivery
A nanoparticle has been developed to fight solid tumors
Tatiana Matveeva, "Scientific Russia"
Researchers from Wake Forest University Medical School (USA) have discovered a possible new approach to the treatment of solid tumors - using a new nanoparticle, the press service of the university reports. The development is described in detail in the journal Science Translational Medicine (Mao et al., Delivery of an ectonucleotidase inhibitor with ROS-responsive nanoparticles overcomes adenosine-mediated cancer immunosuppression).
Solid tumors are tumors that have not developed from the cells of the hematopoietic system. These formations are filled with tissue and covered with a hard shell (hence the name: solid from English – "solid, dense"). They usually appear in breast, head, neck, and colon cancers.
In tumors treated with anti–cancer therapy, the level of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), an energy carrier molecule, is high. They are rapidly cleaved to adenosine by certain enzymes that are highly expressed in tumors. The presence of adenosine in the tumor microenvironment may contribute to a poor response to therapy. A compound such as ARL67156 can turn off the action of enzymes that break down ATP. But this compound cannot independently penetrate solid tumors.
The new ARL67156 delivery nanoparticles allow the selective accumulation and release of ARL67156 in such tumors. Nanoparticles were tested on several models of tumors in mice – and the survival rate of rodents increased. The researchers tested how the nanoparticles work in combination with antibodies against PD-1, a common immunotherapy. The researchers noted that the treatment worked well and synergistically with the therapy.
The scientists evaluated their development in a three-dimensional model of tumors in vitro in patients with colon or breast cancer. Similar effects were observed — tumor cells were more susceptible to therapy. Such nanoparticles can potentially be used to treat human cancer, and can also increase the effectiveness of existing treatments, the authors note.
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