Nanoparticle-hydrogel Composite for Nucleic Acid Molecule Delivery
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer covering anatomic surfaces (e.g. lining of the lungs, heart, abdomen, etc.) that resists multi-modality therapies. Regional recurrence of mesothelioma from residual tumor cells prevents long-term benefits after surgical resection. Furthermore, there is no clinical consensus on intracavitary adjuvants that are effective in extending the tumor reduction effect of surgery.
Researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed a new technology which fulfills this unmet clinical need by providing a local regional therapeutic platform to shuttle cancer-specific microRNA, thereby circumventing systemic administration challenges. This technology showcases nanoparticles comprised of microRNA bound to disordered peptides that are embedded in a hydrogel engineered from self-assembling β-hairpin peptides. The nanoparticle hydrogel composition is a shear-thinning composite, capable of being syringe-injected or sprayed onto body cavities harboring mesothelioma xenografts. This biodegradable material can be fine-tuned by choice of self-assembling peptides in the gel matrix, of disordered peptides, and of microRNA to produce an optimal anti-cancer effect with a time-released delivery profile. After administration of a single application, this hydrogel composite produced a durable pre-clinical response in multiple xenograft cancer models. In principle, this localized regional treatment strategy could be applied to other surface cancers.
Potential Commercial Applications: | Competitive Advantages: |
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Development Stage:
Pre-clinical (in vivo)
Inventors:
Joel Schneider (NCI) ➽ more inventions...
Poulami Majumder (NCI) ➽ more inventions...
Chuong Hoang (NCI) ➽ more inventions...
Anand Singh (NCI) ➽ more inventions...
Intellectual Property:
Application No. 62/628,961
Application No. PCT/US2019/017354
Publications:
Research Festival Abstract
Collaboration Opportunity:
Licensing and research collaboration
Licensing Contact:
John Hewes, Ph.D.
Email: John.Hewes@nih.gov
Phone: 240-276-5515
OTT Reference No: E-080-2018
Updated: May 14, 2019