Reviewed by Danielle Ellis, B.Sc.Sep 16 2024
A group of researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have created crystalline organic polymers called nanoscale covalent organic frameworks (nCOFs) that have been modified with peptides to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the most aggressive type of breast cancer. The study has been published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
Targeted nCOF for Chemotherapy. Image Credit: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c10812
The study was led by the program head of chemistry, Ali Trabolsi.
By allowing the COFs to release drug cargo into the acidic environment of the tumor, the peptides guarantee that high concentrations of the medication are delivered straight to the site of the tumor. This lessens the effect on healthy tissues while boosting the treatment's efficacy.
Given that triple-negative breast cancer spreads and grows more quickly than other types of the disease, this innovative method of delivering treatment offers hope for a new approach to treating the disease. It usually has a worse prognosis and fewer options for treatment.
Peptides have been employed for targeted delivery in the past, but conjugating them with COFs is a novel technique in this area. Researchers describe the process of designing alkyne-functionalized nCOFs that have been chemically modified with cyclic RGD peptides (Alkyn-nCOF-cRGD).
TNBC cells overexpress αvβ3 integrins, which are the specific target of this configuration. Encapsulated doxorubicin is a chemotherapeutic agent that can be released precisely and locally using the biocompatible nCOFs' ability to disintegrate under acidic conditions selectively.
Our innovative approach using peptide-conjugated COFs offers a highly targeted treatment method for triple-negative breast cancer. By focusing on the acidic environment of tumors, we can deliver chemotherapy precisely where it is needed most, reducing side effects and improving patient outcomes. The peptides act like a key to open the door of cancer cells, allowing the drug to enter and exert its effects exactly where it is needed.
Farah Benyettou, Researcher, New York University Abu Dhabi
Given the high incidence of breast cancer in the United Arab Emirates, this research is especially important. Many of the major disadvantages of current drug delivery systems include rapid clearance, non-specific distribution, fluctuations in drug plasma levels, and side effects on healthy tissue. The study's successful in vitro and in vivo outcomes not only demonstrate the nCOFs' sophisticated targeting abilities but also establish new benchmarks for tailored cancer treatment.
“Our research has created a smarter way to fight the most aggressive and invasive form of breast cancer,” said Trabolsi.
By providing a targeted approach to cancer therapy, this technology not only fills existing gaps in drug delivery research but also represents a crucial step towards personalized medicine in cancer treatment that is both more effective and less harmful to patients.
Farah Benyettou, Study Key Researcher, New York University Abu Dhabi
Journal Reference:
Benyettou, F., et al. (2024) cRGD-Peptide Modified Covalent Organic Frameworks for Precision Chemotherapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. doi.org/10.1021/acsami.4c10812.