Nanoparticle Production Breakthrough Could Accelerate Cancer Treatment

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — A new method for⁤ manufacturing ⁤nanoparticles, developed by engineers, could significantly increase the availability of targeted cancer ⁤therapies. The process allows for large-scale‍ production of nanoparticles designed to ⁤deliver anticancer ‍drugs directly to tumors, potentially speeding up⁣ the testing and implementation of novel oncological treatments.

These ‍nanoparticles, coated with polymers and carrying therapeutic agents, hold promise ⁤for treating various cancers, including ovarian cancer. Their targeted approach allows for the release of active substances directly at the tumor site, ⁢minimizing the adverse side effects frequently enough associated with ⁤traditional chemotherapy.

Layer-by-Layer⁣ Technique Refined

For the past decade, a team at MIT has been developing these particles using a “layer-by-layer” technique.Animal studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ‍these particles in fighting cancer.⁣ To facilitate clinical request, researchers have refined the manufacturing process to produce larger quantities of particles in less‍ time.

“There is great potential in the⁢ systems we have developed, and recent ⁢results in animal studies, especially in the treatment of ovarian cancer, are very encouraging,” said Prof. Paula Hammond, a vice dean at MIT and a member of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research. She emphasized the importance of industrial-scale production to bring this technology to the ‍clinical level.

The findings were published April 3 in ⁢the journal Advanced Functional Materials.

Optimized Manufacturing Process

The original MIT laboratory technique involved ⁤applying successive layers of polymers to nanoparticles, alternating exposure to positively and ⁣negatively charged polymers. Each layer ⁣can be customized to contain drugs, targeting molecules, or other therapeutic substances.

However, the initial process was slow, with each layer requiring centrifugation to remove excess polymer – a time-consuming step that hindered mass production.

Tangential flow filtering ‍was later introduced to improve efficiency, but production remained limited to small batches.

“Even with tangential flow filtering, the production was small, insufficient for clinical studies that require multiple doses for a large number of patients,” Hammond explained.

Microfluidic Mixing Device Provides ‍Solution

The solution involved using a microfluidic mixing device, which allows for the sequential addition of polymeric ⁣layers as⁢ the particles flow through a microchannel. The amount of polymer is precisely‍ calculated, eliminating the need for⁢ purification after each layer.

According to Hammond, eliminating these ⁤separation steps is crucial, as⁤ they are the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of the process.

The new method also adheres to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards set by the U.S. Food and ‍Drug Management⁣ (FDA), which are already used in the production of other nanoparticles, including those⁣ for messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines.

Researchers ⁤state that the process is now safer, more ⁤repeatable, and scalable for clinical use.

Expanded Production Capabilities

The new method allows researchers to produce 15 mg ⁣of nanoparticles – enough for approximately 50 doses – in just minutes, compared to ‍nearly an hour with the original method. This makes large-scale production feasible.

To demonstrate⁣ the methodS effectiveness, the team produced nanoparticles loaded with interleukin-12 (IL-12),‍ an⁣ immunostimulatory cytokine. Previous studies⁢ have shown that these particles activate immune cells and slow the growth‍ of ⁣ovarian tumors in mice.

The new method⁤ yielded similar results to the original version. The particles bind to tumor tissue without penetrating cells, ⁤allowing them to function as markers that activate ‍the local immune system. In ovarian cancer models, the treatment slowed tumor growth and, in certain specific cases, led‍ to complete remission.

The team has filed a patent for this technology ⁤and is working with MIT’s Deshpande ⁤Center‍ to establish ⁢a⁢ company to commercialize the platform.

While the initial focus is on abdominal cancers like ovarian cancer, the technology could potentially be applied to other forms of cancer, including glioblastoma, an aggressive brain ‍cancer.