Researchers at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center are pioneering a “smart” nanotechnology approach to cancer treatment, aiming to deliver drugs directly to tumors while minimizing harm to healthy tissue. The innovative technique, currently under investigation at the center’s Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, utilizes transformable nanoparticles designed to reshape themselves upon reaching cancerous sites.
These nanoparticles, described as ultrafine particles, circulate throughout the body as individual units. However, when they encounter a tumor, they undergo a transformation, assembling into nanofiber networks that adhere to the tumor itself. Crucially, these fibers dissipate more rapidly in healthy organs, creating a natural targeting mechanism that reduces systemic exposure to chemotherapy and other potent treatments.
The research is spearheaded by Distinguished Professor Kit S. Lam, whose expertise spans the UC Davis Health Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and the Division of Hematology and Oncology. The project has recently received a significant boost with a $3.1 million research grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically through the National Cancer Institute’s R01 grant program, which supports well-established research projects with promising preliminary data.
“This NIH (NCI) grant opens the door to accelerating this whole new way of treating cancer,” explained Professor Lam. “Instead of flooding the entire body with medicine, You can now ‘park’ these nanoparticles at the tumor sites and activate treatment only when we choose to.”
The system operates in two distinct phases. First, the nanoparticles establish themselves around the tumor, forming a durable molecular framework. Second, therapeutic agents – encompassing small-molecule drugs, toxins, or immune-stimulating molecules – are introduced and selectively bind to this framework, initiating treatment directly within the tumor microenvironment. This “click chemistry” reaction ensures a fast, efficient, and reliable delivery of the therapeutic payload.
According to Professor Lam, the nanoparticles can remain localized within the tumor area for up to a week, while rapidly clearing from healthy organs like the liver and lungs within just two days. “That gives us a unique advantage,” he stated. “We can use this long-lasting presence in tumors to introduce cancer-fighting treatments only when and where we want them.”
A Two-Step Strategy for Targeted Cancer Therapy
The UC Davis team has defined this approach as a two-component, two-step strategy. The first step involves the nanoparticles locating and transforming within the tumor. The second step entails the administration of therapeutic agents that specifically target and interact with the nanoparticle delivery system, initiating treatment within the tumor’s immediate surroundings.
Key Research Objectives
The current research project is focused on three primary goals. These include designing and refining nanoparticles to target receptors commonly found in cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer, utilizing advanced imaging techniques to track the nanoparticles’ behavior within living systems, and rigorously evaluating the safety and effectiveness of this approach in preclinical cancer models.
The potential impact of this technology is substantial. If successful, it could revolutionize cancer treatment by significantly reducing side effects and enhancing precision. The platform’s flexibility allows for the sequential or combined delivery of multiple treatments, tailored to the individual patient’s needs. “Our goal is to create a robust, long-lasting immune response that helps the body fight the cancer on its own,” Professor Lam concluded.
This research builds upon previous work by Professor Lam, including a collaboration with Anthony Maida to establish T-NanoBio Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on developing peptide-based nano immune-engagers. This earlier research demonstrated the potential of transformable peptides to treat breast cancer in mouse models by targeting the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a protein often overexpressed in aggressive breast cancers. The company is developing non-toxic peptides that self-assemble to target tumors and cytotoxic T-cells, aiming for a potent anti-tumor response.
The integration of nanotechnology with photodynamic therapy (PDT) is also showing promise in cancer treatment. PDT utilizes photosensitizers activated by specific light wavelengths to generate reactive oxygen species, leading to cancer cell death. Nanotechnology enhances PDT’s effectiveness by providing multifunctional nanoplatforms for targeted delivery and synergistic antitumor effects.
