Nanoparticle restores communication between tumor and immune cells. Immune cells recognize and eliminate tumor cells.
One nanoparticle developed at the Polytechnic University of Valencia could open a new path in cancer treatment, by restore communication between tumor and immune cells.
The study, in the scientific journal Advanced Materials, notes that by being able to restore communication between immune cells (white blood cells) and tumor cells, it allows first recognize and eliminate tumor cellssaid the University of Valencia, in a statement cited by the Spanish news agency Efe.
This communication between cells is generally lost in tumors, due to immune evasion mechanisms, with this nanoparticle developed in Valencia opening a new route of cancer treatmenthe explained.
This nanoparticle developed by the team led by the researcher Ramón Martínez Mánez is inspired by bispecific antibodies, immunotherapy tool used for tumors related to the blood and lymphatic system, but which has disadvantages such as a complex production process, limited efficacy and adverse side effects.
Instead of these antibodies, the nanoparticle now developed is made of easy production, adapts to several types of cancer and has a longer service life in the body, allowing a greater efficacy on tumors and lower risk of side effects, said the Polytechnic University of Valencia.
These nanoparticles, with two faces that have different physical or chemical properties (just like bispecific antibodies), are able to remain in the tumor cell and display their other face to white blood cells, acting as a bridge that facilitates cancer cell death.
“This superior effectiveness can be attributed to its ability to restore communication between the immune system and the tumor“, explained researcher Ramón Martínez Máñez.
According to the research team, although the study focused on metastatic melanomas, technology can be easily adapted to other types of solid or hematological tumors (related to the blood, marrow and lymphatic system).
The team at the Polytechnic University of Valencia is working on validating the technology for the treatment of more complex solid tumors, in which immunotherapy has limited results.
“These nanoparticles exhibit greater stability and the ability to focus on tumor areas, and are expected to achieve good results in the most challenging tumors,” the researchers explained.
According to the University, in addition to the bridge it establishes between cells, the nanoparticle can also load drugscombining different therapeutic strategies in a single system.
