A team of researchers from the Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) and the University of Cantabria has developed a targeted nanomedicine capable of selectively delivering chemotherapy to tumors, avoiding toxic effects on healthy tissues. The study, which reports promising preclinical results, has been published in the prestigious journal Small.
The Nanomedicine Group at IDIVAL and the University of Cantabria has achieved a pioneering breakthrough in the treatment of malignant melanoma through the development of a highly precise therapeutic strategy based on silica nanoparticles. This innovative system allows the encapsulation and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, releasing and activating them in a controlled manner within the tumor to prevent side effects.
The study, published in the international journal Small, was made possible thanks to patented technology developed by IDIVAL researchers for the encapsulation of nucleic acids in nanoparticles. It also involved the collaboration of the Nucleic Acid Chemistry Group at the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC).
In this research, an oligonucleotide designed as an intelligent prodrug has been encapsulated, capable of releasing up to ten molecules of the potent chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) per oligonucleotide unit. This approach overcomes one of the main limitations of conventional 5-FU use: its rapid degradation in the body and the side effects associated with systemic administration.
Thanks to the coating of the nanoparticles with specific proteins, the researchers successfully directed them selectively toward the blood vessels feeding the tumor. Results obtained in mouse models of malignant melanoma are conclusive, achieving up to a 50% reduction in tumor size after just three intravenous treatments.
This work opens new possibilities for the development of more effective, personalized, and less toxic cancer therapies. The recent licensing of the silica encapsulation technology to Iridia Inc. for encrypted DNA-based analog data storage applications not only highlights its potential in this area but also underscores its versatility and disruptive nature in other fields.
The project has received financial support from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III through projects PI22/00030 and DTS24/00023.
IDIVAL has shown clear interest in exploring the biological applications of the patent and is actively seeking to establish a strategic partnership to advance the development of biomedical applications.
Reference:
Targeted Tumor Microenvironment Delivery of Floxuridine Prodrug via Soluble Silica Nanoparticles in Malignant Melanoma as a Model for Aggressive Cancer Treatment
A Ramos-Valle, A Domínguez, N Navarro, A Márquez López, A Avino, R Eritja, C Fabrega, L García-Hevia, ML Fanarraga
Small, DOI: 10.1002/smll.202407752
Link to the article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smll.202407752
Image caption: Nanomedicine Laboratory at IDIVAL
