- The new formulation is based on a breakthrough method of delivering drugs directly to cancer cells, focusing on targeted cancer treatment. In ovarian cancer, cancer cells tend to spread around the abdominal cavity. Importantly, these cells produce substances around them called mucins - proteins that form a mucosal coating around the cancer cells. Healthy cells in the abdominal cavity do not secrete mucins, which allows the new nanoparticles to target only cancer cells by recognising these proteins, explains the originator of the research at ZUT, Dr Agnieszka Piegat.
Currently, there are anti-cancer drugs on the market that work by entering the bloodstream or directly into the abdominal cavity. Unfortunately, they also attack healthy cells and cause many side effects. Targeted therapies - those that specifically target cancer cells - are still mainly in the preclinical research phase.
Scientists in Szczecin have already completed the animal testing phase. The results are promising. - We have observed an inhibition of tumour growth and an overall improvement in the condition of the treated animals compared to the conventional administration of the drug. We are currently analysing how the drugs are distributed in the body and how the treatment affects internal organs or the intestinal flora, among other things,' says Dr Piegat.
The specific research has its origins in the work of the “Leader” programme, which focused on the creation of targeted drug carriers. The first nanoparticles were developed to treat peptic ulcer disease and to combat the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Encouraged by their success and in collaboration with a team from the Medical University of Pomerania, the ZUT scientists also began to encapsulate carboplatin - a popular drug used to treat ovarian cancer - in these carriers.
In addition to Agnieszka Piegat, the ZUT researchers included Dr Agata Goszczyńska, Dr Agata Niemczyk, Dr Anna Żywicka and Dr Klaudia Brodaczewska from Warsaw.
Photo: Aurelia Kołodziej
