Development of nucleic acids carriers equipped with tumor microenvironment-sensitive peptides for the therapy of metastatic liver cancer(Fostering Joint International Research)

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15KK0357
• Research Category: Fund for the Promotion of Joint International Research (Fostering Joint International Research)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Physical pharmacy
• Research Institution: Kyoto Pharmaceutical University
• Principal Investigator: Hama Susumu 京都薬科大学, 薬学部, 講師 (60438041)
• Research Collaborator: Kopecek Jindrich University of Utah, Center for Controlled Chemical Delivery, 教授 ; Hasan Mahadi ; Itagaki Nagisa ; Marukawa Hiroki ; Watanabe Yuya ; Kamei Kazuho ; Maeda Shizuka
• Project Period (FY): 2016 – 2018
• Keywords: ドラッグデリバリーシステム / 腫瘍微小環境 / 幹細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Cancer stem cells, which exist at deep region of tumor, have been implicated in tumor metastasis and chemotherapy resistance. Therefore, it is required to develop a novel therapy that can induce potent cytotoxicity in cancer stem cells. In this study, low-molecular drugs or nucleic acids, which can inhibit the essential signaling pathway for the survival and maintenance of cancer stem cells, were encapsulated into tumor microenvironment-sensitive drug carriers that can achieve the targeting to cancer stem cells as well as effective tumor delivery. These nanoparticles are expected as a nanomedicine for the therapy of cancer stem cells.

Free Research Field

薬物送達学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で開発したナノメディシンは、腫瘍透過性が高いだけでなく、腫瘍微小環境下のがん細胞特異的に薬物送達可能なナノ粒子を基盤としているため、既存の送達方法に比べて、がん幹細胞へ効果的に薬物を送達できることが期待される。また、現在精力的にがん幹細胞の特性解析が行われているが、本ナノ粒子は低分子薬物に限らず、核酸を効率的に細胞質へ送達可能であり、がん幹細胞に細胞死を誘導することができる。今後、がん幹細胞に有効な標的分子が見出されることで、それらの機能を阻害可能な薬物を搭載したナノメディシンによる高い治療効果が期待される。