Establishment of nanocarrier platform by cell membrane modification for diagnosis and treatment of urological cancers

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K22684
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Medium-sized Section 56:Surgery related to the biological and sensory functions and related fields
• Research Institution: Mie University
• Principal Investigator: Hayashi Akinobu 三重大学, 医学系研究科, 助教 (10609043)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 林 幸壱朗 九州大学, 歯学研究院, 准教授 (80580886) ; 渡邉 昌俊 三重大学, 医学系研究科, 教授 (90273383) ; 石井 健一朗 三重大学, 医学系研究科, リサーチアソシエイト (90397513)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-06-28 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 前立腺癌 / ナノ粒子 / 自己集合

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In the background of a proposal for a therapeutic method using nanomaterials, especially superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO), we aimed to fabricate novel nanocarriers for diagnosis and treatment with nanoparticles as the core by utilizing biological membranes (cell membranes) of urological tumor cells (prostate cancer, urothelial carcinoma, renal cancer) and other cells. We attempted (1) synthesis of nanocarriers using self-assembly of ruptured cell membranes and (2) method using physiological processes inherent to cells (nanoparticles taken into cells by exposure to nanoparticles are discharged in the form of exosomes). Although the methods being difficult, we succeeded in producing nanoparticles covered by cell membranes and found the possibility of increasing cellular uptake.

Free Research Field

病理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ナノ粒子をコアとした診断・治療用新規ナノキャリアが作製できたことは、抗癌剤あるいは温熱療法との併用による治療法への応用に加えて、抗癌剤あるいは核酸医薬品を癌細胞特異的に導入でき、かつ血中滞在期間の延長など特徴を有したナノキャリア作製につながる。これにより、新たながん診断・治療への応用の可能性を見出した。