PEG-PLGA from PolySciTech used in development of dual-chemotherapy system for cancer treatment

 

The treatment of lung cancer often involves a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. While it can be effective, it also has a high toxicity profile. Preferential delivery of chemotherapeutics to the tumor while avoiding normal tissue would improve efficacy and lower toxicity. While this is challenging with conventional drug delivery technologies, nanotechnology offers a unique opportunity. Recently researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Westminster College, China Medical University, Peking Union Medical College, and University of Science and Technology of China used PEG-PLGA (AK029) from PolySciTech (www.polyscitech.com) to design nanoparticles that are loaded with cisplatin and etoposide. This research holds promise to provide for improved therapies against cancer. Read more: Zhang, Maofan, C. Tilden Hagan IV, Hayley Foley, Xi Tian, Feifei Yang, Kin Man Au, Yu Mi et al. "Co-delivery of Etoposide and Cisplatin in Dual Drug Loaded Nanoparticles Synergistically Improves Chemoradiotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Models." Acta Biomaterialia (2021). https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1742706121000866

“Abstract: Chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide is a curative management regimen for both small and non-small cell lung cancers. While the treatment regimen is effective, it also has a high toxicity profile. One potential strategy to improve the therapeutic ratio of chemoradiation is to utilize nanotherapeutics. Nanoparticle formulation of cisplatin and etoposide, however, is challenging due to the significant mismatch in chemical properties of cisplatin and etoposide. Herein we report the formulation of a polymeric nanoparticle formulation of cisplatin and etoposide using a prodrug approach. We synthesized a hydrophobic platinum prodrug, which was then co-delivered with etoposide using a nanoparticle. Using mouse models of lung cancer, we demonstrated that dual drug loaded nanoparticles are significantly more effective than small molecule chemotherapy in chemoradiotherapy. These results support further investigation of nanoparticle-based drug formulations of combination chemotherapies and the use of nanotherapeutics in chemoradiotherapy. Keywords: nanomedicine nanoparticle lung cancer chemoradiotherapy combination drug delivery”