New Breakthrough EXPERT Publication: Making Great Strides in Delivering Targeted Cancer Treatments
The EXPERT project is thrilled to announce a significant advancement in targeted cancer therapy using extracellular vesicles (EVs), published recently in Nature Biomedical Engineering by our Principal Investigator, Samir EL Andaloussi (Karolinska Institutet, Sweden) and colleagues.
Delivering a Powerful Punch Directly to Cancer Cells
EVs, acting as messengers ferrying important signalling molecules between cells, offer a promising avenue for drug delivery. The researchers have successfully loaded EVs with chemotherapeutic drugs and customised them with tumor-targeting antibodies. This allows for precise delivery of the drug payload directly to cancer cells, minimising damage to healthy tissues – a hallmark of personalised cancer therapy.
Early Results are Encouraging
Initial experiments in mice have shown a remarkable reduction in tumor growth and improved survival rates. This paves the way for further development and potential application in human patients.
Broader Applications on the Horizon
By utilising different targeting antibodies, this technology has the potential to combat a wide range of cancers. Moreover, EVs hold promise for delivering not just drugs, but also other therapies, straight to the tumour site.
The EXPERT project has long focused on harnessing EVs for delivering mRNA, aiming to create a powerful and well-tolerated weapon against cancer. This latest breakthrough represents a significant step forward in achieving that goal.