The idea of ​​'Trojan Horse' can kill cancer cells

A common chemotherapy drug inside small particles - inspired by the understanding of immune system activity, has been successfully metabolized to cancer cells.

This drug is distributed in this way to reduce ovarian cancer tumors in animal models by 65 times more than using standard methods. This approach is currently being developed

The study was conducted by a grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), which showed "evidence" at an early stage, promising to turn this research into The output is for commercial proposals and is carried out at Queen Mary, University of London, which will be published next week in Biomaterials magazine .

Dr. Davidson Ateh, who conducted the study at Queen Mary, University of London and BioMoti (will develop this technology for clinical use) said: "It's like we recreate the Trojan War. but on the smallest scale, here, the Greeks were fooled by the intrusion of an empty horse with our soldiers, fooling cancer cells to accept the micro-particles filled with drugs. .

Dr. Ateh and colleagues found the microparticles surrounded by a coating with a diameter of one percent of a human hair of the same type of protein called CD95 , which could attack inside the cell. cancer cells. Not only that, but these particles can provide a common dose of chemotherapy called paclitaxel.

The key to the success of the study is CD95 attached to a protein called CD95L - considered to be more effective on the surface of cancer cells than on normal healthy cells.

Cancer cells (red and blue atoms) are attacked by two large particles. (Source: ScienceDaily.com)

After being penetrated, the cancer cells absorb CD95 and the microparticles combine. Inside the cell, microparticles can unload its chemotherapy, killing cells to reduce the size of the tumor.

Dr. Ateh added: "Other researchers have found that cancer cells can use the CD95-CD95L structure to avoid being destroyed by the immune system, which is why CD95L is possible. better than normal cells, we monitored to adjust existing advantages and promote the commercialization of this method - so that "Trojan Horse" is passed.

Co-author, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Queen Mary, University of London, Iain McNeish commented: "Chemotherapy is still the main way we treat ovarian cancer, this method has a positive effect on With difficult cases to treat, anything we can do is focus on treating tumor cells and at the same time protecting healthy cells, this is an effective method and if done. The screening will bring hope to patients on better treatment with fewer side effects. '

Investigator and pathologist at Queen Mary, University of London, Joanne Martin added: "There are many drugs that we want to supply into cells - not just chemotherapy but also methods. For example, there are new experiments on drugs to treat tumors like biological therapy. If we can put biological therapies into CD95 coated with similar seeds, there is no reason to reject this method '.

Scientists are working on these studies and BioMoti is seeking to attract larger pharmaceutical companies, establishing OncoJan TM technology partners to promote the clinical development of new treatments in different types. specific cancer.

Professor Douglas Kell, CEO of BBSRC said: "BBSRC has funded a great project to improve our basic understanding of the biological process. When having the opportunity to use that knowledge For the sake of people, it is extremely important to capture and implement them.A typical example is the study of the human immune system that has brought about a new potential technology to help strengthen healthy and happy for future life '.