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Numerous conventional cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation, are proficient at eliminating cancer cells but frequently result in significant side effects that leave patients feeling increasingly unwell.

Researchers from the University of Washington are innovating treatments that strive to simultaneously address cancer and enhance patients’ quality of life. Miqin Zhang, a professor in materials science and engineering as well as neurological surgery at the UW School of Medicine, is developing minuscule systems that target cancer therapy directly to cancer cells. Dr. Avik Som, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering and radiology at the UW School of Medicine, applies interventional radiology techniques to accurately administer cancer therapies throughout the body.

Both Zhang and Som are examining a treatment strategy known as immunotherapy, wherein a patient’s immune cells are trained to identify and eliminate cancer cells. The two researchers are currently collaborating with the objective of bringing their therapies into clinical settings.

In light of World Cancer Day, UW News invited Zhang and Som to elaborate on their innovative materials and how these substances can benefit both cancer treatment and patient wellbeing.

Tell us about your research in this domain.

Miqin Zhang: One of our primary research focuses is on creating biocompatible nanoplatforms for cancer diagnosis, treatment and monitoring therapy responses. For instance, one of our latest breakthroughs involves utilizing tiny particles known as nanoparticles to deliver immunotherapies or vaccines in preclinical animal studies. The load from these nanoparticles activates immune cells to eliminate drug-resistant solid tumors and metastases.

Overall, our nanoplatforms ensure tumor specificity through two distinctive approaches:

• The nanoparticles are capable of transporting various payloads — including chemotherapeutics and genetic materials — to address tumor heterogeneity.
• We can deploy different methods to activate our nanoparticles to release their payloads, including altering temperature or pH levels. Other strategies involve using enzymes or magnetic fields.

Our systems are designed with adaptability in mind and can function synergistically with diverse tumor-targeting and therapeutic agents.

Avik Som: I am a physician-scientist with training in clinical interventional radiology, particularly focusing on interventional oncology. In this specialty, we frequently provide therapy directly to individual lesions via small needles and wires. This approach negates the necessity for invasive surgery in patients who may be too frail for such procedures.

My research expertise centers on the formulation of innovative drug delivery materials and techniques for interventional radiologists, including applications within immunotherapy. Interventional radiologists have long achieved high precision in delivering therapy within the body. By leveraging advanced material science, my laboratory investigates how to modify what we are administering to aid in healing our patients from both cancer and its damaging consequences.

How can your materials both prolong patients’ lives and enhance their quality of life?

MZ: Our innovative nanoparticle materials offer the potential for more efficient and less harmful treatments in numerous ways. First, these nanoparticles specifically target cancer cells, which reduces side effects and allows for controlled drug release to maintain therapeutic levels without harmful spikes in toxicity.

Furthermore, we create these nanoparticles using biocompatible substances, such as iron oxide and chitosan coatings, which minimizes immune response reactions and enhances the compatibility of the nanoparticles for long-term applications.

The intricate and varied nature of cancer implies that solutions effective for one patient may not yield the same results for another, complicating the development of universal treatment approaches. However, our nanoparticles support personalized medicine by allowing us to target specific mutated genes unique to each patient. Additionally, we can devise multifunctional nanoparticles. For instance, a single nanoparticle could possess the ability to facilitate both monitoring and treatment.

AS: The dual goals of prolonging patients’ lives while enhancing their quality of life have effectively been pursued simultaneously for many years. For instance, the UW possesses a rich legacy and expertise in tissue engineering. Nonetheless, it is often not integrated with cancer treatment, as these two objectives can seem at odds: Tissue engineering promotes cell growth, whereas traditional cancer therapies have historically focused on cell destruction. Consequently, these fields have diverged.

However, we are capable of designing revolutionary materials that can achieve both: A single material can employ varying release rates to stagger the anti-cancer and tissue-engineering effects. For example, we can utilize interventional radiology to implant a material directly within a tumor. This material can initially release drugs that exert anti-cancer effects. Subsequently, after the tumor is eradicated, the remaining material can release substances that draw normal cells to occupy the void left by the cancer.

Alternatively, as radiologists, we possess the ability to identify the presence or absence of cancer. This enables selective delivery of anti-cancer agents to malignant tissues while simultaneously administering pro-tissue engineering agents to healthy tissues.

Are any of these treatments currently accessible in clinical settings?

MZ: The pathway to securing approval for such therapies
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is intricate and demands substantial resources, as it involves thorough investigation, clinical studies, and regulatory authorizations. In order to decrease the expenses associated with clinical trials, our nanoparticle technology is versatile for various genetic therapies, presenting regulatory benefits and paving the pathway for FDA authorization.

Currently, our nanoparticles remain in the fundamental research phase and have not progressed to clinical trials as of yet. Nonetheless, they have proven their effectiveness in multiple pre-clinical animal experiments. At this stage, we are ready to connect with venture capitalists and large pharmaceutical firms to propel our nanoparticles into clinical trials.

AS: At this moment, our investigation is also still at the fundamental phase. We must ascertain the optimal type of material and the safest method to administer it to patients via thorough pre-clinical evaluations.

That being said, at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center and UW Medicine, we are spearheading a group focused on intratumoral therapies that is accelerating clinical studies for patients utilizing therapies that are currently under development nationwide. Moreover, we are striving to introduce additional minimally invasive tissue engineering trials to clinical settings soon.

What aspect of this partnership excites you the most?

AS: I was privileged to meet Miqin during my interview at UW, and we engaged in a lively conversation. Miqin has been a pioneer in the domains of biomaterials and drug delivery, making her an exemplary mentor to assist me in my aim of translating these advancements into clinical practice.

MZ: With over 15 years of expertise in cancer research, I firmly believe that interventional radiology is revolutionizing cancer treatment by providing minimally invasive, precise treatment options that diminish side effects and enhance patient outcomes. I am excited to collaborate with Avik so that we can utilize our advanced materials alongside his innovative strategies to improve interventional radiology for cancer treatment and tissue regeneration while minimizing adverse effects and enhancing patients’ quality of life.

Zhang’s research receives funding from the Kuni Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Zhang also serves as a faculty researcher at the UW Institute for Nano-Engineered Systems and the Molecular Engineering and Sciences Institute. Som’s research has been supported by the Radiologic Society of North America and the National Institutes of Health.

For further details, reach out to Zhang at [email protected] and Som at [email protected].