Targeted Delivery to Cancer Cells using Self-assembled, Camptothecin Nanotubes: Active and Passive TargetingThe Need: Cancer remains one of the most pressing medical challenges of our time, demanding innovative solutions to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing systemic toxicity. Conventional chemotherapy agents often suffer from poor solubility, instability, and indiscriminate cytotoxicity, necessitating the development of targeted delivery systems to improve their therapeutic index. The Technology: Utilizing the power of self-assembly, our team has engineered a groundbreaking nanotube delivery platform for the potent anticancer agent Camptothecin (CPT). Derived from Camptotheca acuminata, CPT has long held promise in cancer treatment, but its clinical application has been hindered by challenges such as instability, toxicity, and poor solubility. Our approach involves appending CPT molecules onto self-assembled nanotubes, which are then encapsulated within a polydopamine (PDA) coat. This PDA coat serves as a stable and versatile platform for the grafting of antibody fragments (3E8-scFv), ensuring selective targeting of tumor cells over normal tissues. Commercial Applications:
Benefits/Advantages:
|
Tech IDT2024-018 CollegeLicensing ManagerDahlman, Jason "Jay" InventorsCategories |