Development of cancer-targeted radiotheranostics drugs based on smart polymers

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08062
• 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: Kobe Pharmaceutical University
• Principal Investigator: Sano Kohei 神戸薬科大学, 薬学部, 准教授 (00546476)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: セラノスティクス / イメージング / がん治療 / ポリマー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to develop polymer-based drugs that contribute to both highly accurate nuclear medicine diagnosis and therapy of cancers, known as radiotheranostics. We synthesized novel radiolabeled polymers that exhibits thermoresponsive aggregation as a smart polymer. The uptake by cancer cells and biodistributions were evaluated to select the optimal molecular structure as a diagnostic drug carrier targeting cancers. By combining it with hyperthermia treatment, we successfully achieved high accumulation of radiolabeled polymers in cancer tissues. Some of the polymers demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect against cancers, indicating the potential of using thermoresponsive polymer-based radiopharmaceuticals in cancer-targeted radiotheranostics.

Free Research Field

放射線科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、次世代ドラッグデリバリーシステム製剤の開発に対する期待は高く、がんの化学療法において、抗がん剤の生体内分布を量的かつ時空間的に制御し、がん特異的な治療効果を達成することは、がんの根治に繋がるのみならず、正常組織における副作用を低減し、患者の苦痛の軽減と療養生活の質の維持向上に貢献するものと考えられている。実際、本研究課題において、ポリマーを基盤とする放射性薬剤開発を推進し、温熱療法との組み合わせにより、高いがん集積性および高い治療効果を示す可能性を明らかとした。ポリマーに対する化学修飾の容易性の観点から、今後様々な抗がん剤を導入し、より高いがん治療効果を示す薬剤開発へと繋げていきたい。