A researcher is developing a patent-pending platform technology called LENN that mimics the dual-layer structure of viruses to deliver nucleic acid (NA)-based therapies to targeted cancer cells.
Researchers take inspiration from viruses to improve delivery of nucleic acid-based therapies to cancer cellsA researcher is developing a patent-pending platform technology called LENN that mimics the dual-layer structure of viruses to deliver nucleic acid -based therapies to targeted cancer cells.
"LENN comprises two protective layers. The inner shell condenses the nucleic acid; the outer shell protects it from the immune system so it can circulate freely and target cancer cells," he said."We're mimicking the strategies of viral particles that have been doing this effectively for millions of years."
"Unfortunately, estimates suggest that only 1% or less of the NA cargo that enters the cell gets to the cytosol where it is active," he said."That is one of the motivations for developing this new approach: borrowing design principles from viruses, biological machines that have been delivering cargo to cells for millions of years. Our nonviral delivery system protects and efficiently releases the NA therapies within the cytoplasm of target cells.
"Unfortunately, those approaches suffer from very low efficiencies, rapid immune system clearance and poor shelf stability," he said."Chemically modified nucleic acids are showing some promise in experimental systems; however, the safety of that approach has not yet been clinically demonstrated." Thompson said bladder cancer is the first target of the LENN system, but he and his team are developing efforts in other cancer types to explore the scope of the technology.
"Professor Thompson continues to be a leading innovator in cancer research. Our institute's mission is to support basic discovery that lays the foundation of innovative cancer solutions, like his," he said."As a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, we make significant contributions to emerging technologies, like our seed funding to support David's research into LENN.
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