Combined intraoperative imaging and treatment of pancreatic cancer
Lead Research Organisation:
University College London
Department Name: Nanotechnology
Abstract
The main aim of the project is to develop indocyanine dye -containing nanoparticles for the intraoperative assessment of pancreatic cancer and the treatment of residual disease following resection.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509577/1 | 01/10/2016 | 24/03/2022 | |||
| 1937638 | Studentship | EP/N509577/1 | 25/09/2017 | 24/12/2021 | Shiv Patel |
| Description | The on-going research in this study has set the foundation for a system with the potential to improve surgical resection of pancreatic cancer. This novel system will not only be able to better image cancerous tissue, therefore aiding the surgeon directly, but will also be able to treat any residual tumour mass left behind after surgery. With efficient clinical translation and optimisation, this combined intraoperative imaging and treatment approach has the potential to improve patient survival and quality of life by eliminating the need for further costly drug therapies. |
| Exploitation Route | With efficient clinical translation, this system can be used by clinicians to improve the survival and quality of life of many patients suffering from pancreatic cancer. For smooth clinical translation we will effectively communicate the findings from this study to relevant target audiences. For example, we will liaise with surgeons who specialise in pancreatic cancer surgery and collaborate with leading UK specialist clinicians. The outcomes of this study could also lead to collaborative research with other leading research teams in the field allowing us to further build upon this technology to improve its efficacy. |
| Sectors | Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | Exploitation of the tumour microenvironment for developing novel theranostic formulations for cancer |
| Organisation | Ulster University |
| Department | School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | In the context of this project, we have studied the effect of distinctive characteristics of the tumour mocroenvironment, such as hypoxia and acidic pH, in the performance of a polyglutamate-based nanoparticulate formulation for delivering sonodynamic treatment. The expression and secretion profiles of a key proteolytic enzyme, cathepsin B, which is overexpressed in malignant tumours, were studied in detail. The findings were shared with leading academics in sonodynamic therapy at Ulster University, towards the development of a preclinical portfolio that includes in vivo studies for testing the efficacy of the formulation in experimental animal models. Professor Anthony McHale and Professor John Callan have a long and successful record of performing in vivo studies for demonstrating the effect of sonodynamic therapy and similar treatment modalities that involve tumour sensitisation and the application of externally-applied stimuli, such as ultrasound and light. The partnership also has led to the submission of a joint EPSRC standard proposal for a project that is supported by findings from the current EPSRC grant and aims to develop a formulation for combined near-infra red intraoperative imaging and treatment of cancer. The new EPSRC application is led by my PhD supervisor, Dr Nomikou, and the partners from Ulster University, who will manage the in vivo experimentation, have been included as co-applicants. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The partners from Ulster University have supported the efficient progression of the current project by offering expert advice on formulation preparation and characterization, as well as an early insight in subsequent in vivo experimentation that will fully demonstrate the potential of the system developed during the project. They have also offered me access to specialized equipment based in their laboratory facilities at Ulster University. The partners have also contributed to the submission of a new EPSRC grant, as co-applicants. |
| Impact | The collaboration with Ulster University is multi-disciplinary, involving the following disciplines: Chemistry, biomaterials, physics (acoustics), optics, biology and biochemistry. |
| Start Year | 2017 |
| Title | Nanoparticles for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy |
| Description | The present invention relates generally to methods and materials for use in photothermal or sonodynamic therapy. The invention novel nanoparticles for use in delivering sensitizers to solid tumour target, wherein the nanoparticles are composed of a polymers or co-polymer of monomers linked by peptide bonds, wherein the polymer or co-polymer comprises one or both of glutamate or derivatised glutatamic acid, and optionally a further, different, monomer which is a naturally occurring amino acid or synthetic monomer having a side chain group, wherein the polymer or co-polymer is not composed only of glutamate. The pendant groups and/or side chains of the polymer or co-polymer interact non-covalently with the sensitizer. |
| IP Reference | US 16/385,591 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | Securing further funding for clinical translation |