Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
A new combination approach to antitumor therapy has been developed at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Studies on tumor models have shown its advantage over monotherapy. Scientists used the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin and nanoparticles to deliver radium-223 (²²³Ra) directly to the tumor. A scientific article describing the results was published in the international scientific journal Biomaterials scene.
According to experts, the results obtained during the experiments bring us closer to solving the problem of tumor resistance to the standard treatment methods used today – chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.
Despite promising results in cancer treatment, standard monotherapy remains insufficient for a wide range of cancers. Combination therapy can significantly improve therapeutic outcomes compared to single agent treatment.
However, determining the optimal scheme can be a difficult task. For this purpose, scientists from the Polytechnic University are developing new approaches to the treatment of oncological diseases. The specialists created and studied the properties of new pharmacological combinations, and also conducted tests for the safety and compatibility of such systems with the body. In addition, the scientists proposed several therapeutic schemes at once that could become an alternative to existing ones. The Polytechnics worked with models of the most common types of cancer according to WHO: colorectal cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer.
Our results showed that each tumor model studied demonstrated a clear response to combination and monotherapy. In particular, combination chemo- and radionuclide therapy using doxorubicin and the isotope Radium-223 demonstrated a significantly higher therapeutic result than monotherapy. The average therapeutic response was more than 35% for monotherapy and over 60% – 80% for combination therapy. This means that the combination of active substances that we proposed is twice as effective as the standard treatment protocol, – noted Daria Akhmetova, Junior Researcher at the Laboratory of Nano- and Microencapsulation of Biologically Active Substances at SPbPU.
Scientists used a combination of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) and nanoparticles based on polylactic acid and calcium carbonate (PLA and CaCO₃) to deliver radium-223 (²²³Ra). The radioactive isotope can be administered to the body either systemically into the bloodstream or by injection directly into the tumor. In the case of local delivery, the isotope is distributed most effectively throughout the tumor volume.
This approach can solve the problem of tumor resistance to the standard treatment methods used today. It is when using a combined treatment regimen that toxicity for healthy tissues and organs will be reduced and the burden on the patient’s health will be reduced, said Vladislava Rusakova, a research assistant at the Laboratory of Nano- and Microencapsulation of Biologically Active Substances at SPbPU.
According to the scientists, the main difference between the proposed approach and other protocols for combined cancer treatment is the simplicity and low cost of synthesizing the nanoparticles needed to deliver the radioactive isotope to the tumor. The novelty of the study is in using the clinical method of chemotherapy with doxorubicin and supplementing it with gentle alpha-radionuclide therapy of targeted action.
Experts noted that the combination therapy is not toxic to living organisms. This is evidenced by the data of laboratory and instrumental studies that were conducted during animal testing. The therapeutic effect of the action was assessed by regularly measuring the volume of tumors and the weight of laboratory mice. In addition, the morphological state of the tumors and organs of the animals was assessed using histological analysis.
Our team plans to further improve the efficiency of nanoscale delivery systems with an emphasis on radionuclide therapy. Modern technologies for creating nanoplatforms for delivering therapeutic radionuclides have significant potential and can save lives, shared Alisa Postovalova, a junior researcher at the Laboratory of Nano- and Microencapsulation of Biologically Active Substances at SPbPU.
The work was supported by the grant of the Russian Science Foundation “Development of a new dosage form based on nanosized vaterite for systemic combined photodynamic therapy of breast cancer” (number 22-75-10011). The research is carried out within the framework of agreement No. 075-15-2021-1360 of the Federal Scientific and Technical Program for the Development of Synchrotron and Neutron Research “Development of a domestic innovative theranostic drug based on terbium isotopes for radioimmune therapy of malignant neoplasms of various histological types.”
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.