Application of nucleic acid aggregates to theranostics

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K16871
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 50020:Tumor diagnostics and therapeutics-related
• Research Institution: Kagawa University
• Principal Investigator: Kurihara Ryohsuke 香川大学, 医学部, 助教 (20713233)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 核酸会合体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we aimed to develop novel materials that simultaneously enable tumor imaging and treatment by using amphiphilic nucleic acid aggregates formed from hydrophobic fluorescent dyes and hydrophilic nucleic acids. Typically, hydrophobic fluorescent dyes do not dissolve well in blood, and unmodified nucleic acids lack stability in the bloodstream, making cellular delivery challenging. However, we expected to overcome these issues by forming aggregates of amphiphilic nucleic acids. Our results confirmed that the amphiphilic nucleic acids successfully formed aggregates, entered cells, and the nucleic acids functioned effectively within the cells.

Free Research Field

ナノ材料科学 / 生体医工学 / 生体材料学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

セラノスティクスは、診断と治療を同時に行うことで、病気の早期発見と即時治療を可能にし、患者の負担を軽減しながら治療効果を向上させる。本研究では、蛍光色素でイメージングし、核酸医薬で治療を行うセラノスティクス材料の開発を試みた。保護されていない核酸医薬は血中で不安定であり、また細胞内への導入が難しい。しかし、蛍光色素と核酸からなる両親媒性核酸で会合体を形成させることでこの問題点を改善し、セラノスティクス材料としての可能性を示唆した。