Home > Press > PRINTed Nanoparticles Delivery Multiple Punches to Treat Prostate Cancer
![]() |
Abstract:
Using technologies common to the semiconductor industry, a team of investigators at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Liquidia Technologies has created a polymer nanoparticle that can encapsulate large loads of therapeutic molecules that may have use in treating prostate cancer. The research, led by Joseph DeSimone, co-principal investigator of the Carolina Center for Cancer Nanotechnology, was published in the journal Nano Letters.
Dr. DeSimone and his colleagues developed their nanoparticles to deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) molecules to tumors. siRNAs block or greatly reduce a cell's production of specific proteins by binding to the messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules that translate information from DNA into proteins. Because of their specificity for specific proteins, siRNAs are thought to hold promise as anticancer agents, but only if techniques can be developed to deliver large quantities of siRNAs to tumor cells.
With an eye on commercialization, the Carolina team created an siRNA delivery vehicle using the PRINT process, which was invented in Dr. DeSimone's laboratory and is now being developed for biomedical applications by Liquidia Technologies. PRINT uses soft lithography to mass produce polymeric nanoparticles under mild conditions suitable for use with biologically compatible materials. In this project, the team created nanoparticles consisting of a polymer core that safely encapsulates siRNA molecules and a lipid shell that promotes cell uptake.
Initial tests with cells engineered to produce a fluorescent protein and a nanoparticle containing an siRNA agent that would block production of this protein, the investigators showed that these particles were readily taken up by the cells. Once inside the cells, the polymeric nanoparticles released their siRNA payload, blocking production of the fluorescent protein.
Next, the investigators created a nanoparticle containing an siRNA designed to interfere with the production of a protein known as KIF11, which plays a role in prostate tumor growth. They then dosed three different prostate cancer cell lines with this formulation and found that all three cell lines experienced a dramatic drop in KIF11 levels, which in turn triggered cell death in all three cell lines. The researchers note that they are now performing animal studies with PRINTed nanoparticles loaded with siRNAs targeted to key tumor proteins.
####
About The National Cancer Institute (NCI)
To help meet the goal of reducing the burden of cancer, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, is engaged in efforts to harness the power of nanotechnology to radically change the way we diagnose, treat and prevent cancer.
The NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer is a comprehensive, systematized initiative encompassing the public and private sectors, designed to accelerate the application of the best capabilities of nanotechnology to cancer.
Currently, scientists are limited in their ability to turn promising molecular discoveries into benefits for cancer patients. Nanotechnology can provide the technical power and tools that will enable those developing new diagnostics, therapeutics, and preventives to keep pace with today’s explosion in knowledge.
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
National Cancer Institute
Office of Technology & Industrial Relations
ATTN: NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer
Building 31, Room 10A49
31 Center Drive , MSC 2580
Bethesda , MD 20892-2580
Copyright © The National Cancer Institute (NCI)
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
Related Links |
Related News Press |
News and information
A COSMIC approach to nanoscale science: Instrument at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source achieves world-leading resolution of nanomaterials March 5th, 2021
Govt.-Legislation/Regulation/Funding/Policy
A COSMIC approach to nanoscale science: Instrument at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source achieves world-leading resolution of nanomaterials March 5th, 2021
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Files IND to Begin Phase 2b Study of ARO-APOC3 in Patients with Severe Hypertriglyceridemia March 2nd, 2021
Quantum quirk yields giant magnetic effect, where none should exist: Study opens window into the landscape of extreme topological matter March 1st, 2021
Bioinformatics tool accurately tracks synthetic: DNA Computer scientists show benefits of bioinformatics with PlasmidHawk February 26th, 2021
Nanomedicine
Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Files IND to Begin Phase 2b Study of ARO-APOC3 in Patients with Severe Hypertriglyceridemia March 2nd, 2021
How photoblueing disturbs microscopy February 26th, 2021
Changing the silkworm's diet to spin stronger silk February 26th, 2021
Discoveries
A COSMIC approach to nanoscale science: Instrument at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source achieves world-leading resolution of nanomaterials March 5th, 2021
Announcements
A COSMIC approach to nanoscale science: Instrument at Berkeley Lab's Advanced Light Source achieves world-leading resolution of nanomaterials March 5th, 2021
Printing/Lithography/Inkjet/Inks/Bio-printing/Dyes
Weak force has strong impact on nanosheets: Rice lab finds van der Waals force can deform nanoscale silver for optics, catalytic use December 15th, 2020
Materials scientists learn how to make liquid crystal shape-shift September 25th, 2020
New printing process advances 3D capabilities: Technology aims to improve quality of products used in business, industry and at home July 31st, 2020
![]() |
||
![]() |
||
The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
![]() |
![]() |
||
Premium Products | ||
![]() |
||
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
![]() |
||
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
![]() |