University of Carolina Scientist Develops New Nanoparticle for Cancer Therapy

Wenbin Lin, PhD, Kenan professor of Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina has proved that a newly developed nanoparticle has the potential to deliver chemotherapy treatment for cancer more effectively.

The professor and his colleagues have released their findings in the German chemistry journal Angewandte Chemie.

The professor and his team have developed and tested the polysilsesquioxane (PSQ) particle’s ability to carry chemotherapy drug oxaliplatin to the tumours in the pancreas and the colon. Upon testing, it was discovered that the oxaliplatin particles curbed the growth of pancreatic tumours significantly. Unlike other nanoparticles the PSQ has very high drug loading capacity and can release chemotherapy drugs in a controlled manner. Though the particles remain stable under regular physiological conditions, they can be made to release platin-based particles in tumour microenvironments which have high levels of reducing agents. Due to this factor the particles are able to target the tumours more easily than other nanoparticles. According to Wenbin Lin, the particle has to be tested for its other properties before it can be used in clinics.

The research is supported by the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Nanotechnology Platform Partnerships and the Carolina Centre of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence. A total of nine centres and 12 partnerships have been designed to support various research projects that resolve issues in innovative nanotechnology for cancer treatments.