Therapeutic Nanoparticles for Primary and Metastatic Breast Tumors
Posted: Tuesday, May 26, 2020
A research team at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, tested a nanoparticle drug formulation that appeared to outperform the standard nanoparticle therapy nab-paclitaxel, currently used to treat metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. These preclinical findings, published in Science Advances, suggest that the nanoparticles bind evenly throughout tumor cells without affecting healthy cells and tissues while releasing paclitaxel. The nanoparticle formulation, termed “DART” nanoparticles, was reported to have improved blood circulation time, biodistribution, and tumor cell–specific uptake.
“Our DART nanoparticle specifically targets the Fn14 receptor found abundantly on breast cancer cells; it uses this receptor to gain entry through the plasma membrane and deliver the drug to destroy the cancer,” Jeffrey Winkles, PhD, of the University of Maryland, stated in a recent press release.
Triple-negative breast cancer expresses high levels of Fn14. The researchers attached ITEM 4, a monoclonal antibody, to the surface of the DART nanoparticle, because it is known to specifically bind to Fn14. The nanoparticle delivery was tested in mice with breast tumors in the natural breast region and also tumors implanted in the brain.
When tested in the mice with tumors in the breast region, the DART formulation significantly reduced tumor growth compared with nab-paclitaxel (P < .05). The investigators also observed improved overall survival in mice treated with the DART formulation compared with those treated with nab-paclitaxel (68 days vs. 45 days, respectively). Significant benefits were reported when the DART nanoparticles were tested with animals that harbored tumors implanted in the brain as well. Although there was no significant difference in survival between mice treated with the two formulations, two of the nine mice treated with the DART nanoparticles were still alive and showed no residual tumors at the end of treatment.
The results support continued research and development into the DART platform, the research team concluded.
Disclosure: The study authors reported no conflicts of interest.
