Priming cancer cells for treatment

Benefits

• Biocompatible
• Can reduce the required chemo/radiation dose to achieve required therapeutic effect
• Could reduce patient drop-out by reducing side-effects and improve treatment outcomes
• Increased quality of life and reduced mortality rates

Background

Cancer remains a leading disease burden on global society. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are two of the most common approaches to treating cancers.

Radiotherapy contributes to about 40% of cures, but advances in radiotherapy have been limited due to engineering constraints.

Chemotherapy is used extensively in treating metastatic cancer where the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. However, for many cancers it only prolongs survival by months. Moreover, due to its highly toxic nature, many patients struggle to complete the therapeutic regime.

In both cases, a higher dose of the therapeutic agent is needed to treat resistant cancer cells, which further aggravates the side-effects associated with these treatments leading to poor adherence and outcomes. There is a clear need for a new approach to improving cancer therapy.

One approach is to exploit and manipulate the tumour’s microenvironment and its response to current treatments.

Technology

UniSA researchers are developing nanoparticle formulations that can manipulate a cancer cell’s propensity to be affected by conventional treatments such as radio or chemotherapy.

The underlying mechanism preferentially impacts cancer cells that are difficult to treat and act as negative prognostic factors. These formulations can halve the amount of radiation required to treat radio-resistant cells. Our technology has the potential to have profound impact on treatment efficacy and minimisation of side-effects; improving
mortality rates and quality-of-life for patients.

Potential markets

This technology could be applied in the biotechnology, medical devices and pharmaceutical industries with applications in cancer therapy.

IP Status

This technology is protected by a PCT application.

Partnering opportunities

We are seeking co-development and collaboration opportunities to further advance this opportunity.