Development of Exosomes-Based Theranostic for Lung Cancer
Abstract
Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading form of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Chemotherapy is a major strategy for treatment but fails due to absence of an efficient drug delivery. In addition, the current imaging modalities for diagnosis are not very precise. Exosomes are nano-sized cellular vesicles that can carry therapeutic cargo in different parts of body and can even cross stringent membrane barriers like blood-brain barriers, etc. Super paramagnetic iron oxide (SPION) are 10-20 nm sized nanoparticles that can be used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In this project, we are proposing to combine exosome biology and nanotechnology to create an advanced multifunctional modality for simultaneous drug delivery and imaging of tumors. We will prime exosomes derived from normal lung epithelial cells with therapeutic miRNA followed by loading of the primed exosomes with SPIONS conjugated with anti-cancer drug and a tumor targeting moiety. This project fulfills to major areas of Lung Cancer Research Program priority like “To identify innovative strategies for prevention and treatment of early and/or localized lung cancer” and “Identify, develop, and/or build upon already existing tools for screening or early detection of lung cancer. Screening may include, but is not limited to, imaging modalities, biomarkers, genetics/genomics/proteomics/metabolomics/transcriptomics, and assessment of risk factors.” This theranostic system will lead to a very aggressive therapeutic intervention with better efficiency than the present conventional methods for treatment and diagnosis of lung cancer Lung cancer patients are diagnosed at a very advanced stage of the disease and majority of them are more than 60 years of age. The old age and the burden of disease on the body often render them in a physically weak and challenging situation. The proposed theranostic system will help clinicians in optimizing a very precise treatment regimen and diagnose and monitor the response of treatment. Early diagnosis and absence of effective therapeutic regimen are limitations in cancer care. The developed theranostic system, by its imaging and efficient drug delivery capabilities, could revolutionize the precision medicine approach in treatment of lung and other cancers. The new treatment regimen is expected emancipate Veterans, Service men, their dependents, and civilians from physical, psychological, social and economic distress due to this disease. Since we are devising a novel strategy never explored before; therefore, we expect to bring this technology to clinics in another 10 years.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 29, 2018
- Source ID
- W81XWH1810637
Entities
People
- Akhil Srivastava
Organizations
- United States Army
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center