Development of thermo-responsive micelle for combined region-specific chemo- and brachytherapies

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K08094
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: University of Fukui
• Principal Investigator: Makino Akira 福井大学, 高エネルギー医学研究センター, 准教授 (00566226)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 小線源治療 / 高分子ミセル / 体温応答性 / 抗がん剤 / 併用療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Thermo-sensitive polymer micelle was newly designed and synthesized as carriers for local administration to tumor. By labeling with Cu-64, which is a therapeutic radioisotope, and/or encapsulating Docetaxel, which is a type of anticancer drug, a new biodegradable therapeutic agent was developed that can be used for combination treatments of brachytherapy and chemotherapy.
The newly developed micelle showed high retention behavior at the injection site by body-temperature responded aggregation formation. Importantly, the labeled Cu-64 was stably retained inside the aggregate, but Docetaxel was efficiently released. As the result, the combination therapy with β-rays emitted from Cu-64 and Docetaxel showed higher therapeutic response than the single agent.

Free Research Field

放射性医薬品化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

前立腺がんの小線源治療では、治療に用いた金属製シード線源を生涯体内に残置する必要がある。本研究では、金属製線源に代わり、生分解性の温度応答性高分子ミセルをキャリアとして用いた放射線源を開発すること、組織内照射と局所での化学療法との併用療法実現による治療奏功性を向上させることを目的に研究を行った。これらの成果は、がんの新しい治療法や健康長寿社会の形成に寄与するものと期待される。