Ovarian Cancer Treatment: New Engineering Approach

Unm Engineers Pioneer New Ovarian Cancer Treatment with Nanoparticle Gel

Albuquerque, Nm – Breaking ground in women’s health, engineers at The University of New Mexico (Unm) are spearheading a novel research project focused on alternative treatments for ovarian cancer. The innovative approach centers around a nanoparticle-packed gel designed for targeted drug delivery.

Olivia Lanier, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, has secured an American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant sub-award through the Unm Comprehensive Cancer Center. This $30,000 grant, active until the end of 2025, supports her pilot project, “Targeted Vaginal Delivery of Frα-Specific Lipid Nanoparticles Using Thermo and Enzyme-Responsive Hydrogels for Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer.”

Addressing Health Equity through Innovative Drug Delivery

Lanier emphasized the critical need for sex-based studies in drug delivery. “Studying drug delivery based on sex is critical for advancing health equity because women have historically been excluded from biomedical research, creating a medical landscape that favors the traditional male body,” Lanier stated.

She further noted that despite nanomedicine’s vast potential, women’s health applications account for less than 1% of nanoparticle-related research on PubMed. Addressing this disparity can lead to improved treatment outcomes. Developing targeted therapies that account for female-specific biology ensures healthcare technologies benefit everyone”.

Mitigating Side Effects with Targeted Nanoparticles

Recurrent ovarian cancer after chemotherapy poses significant treatment challenges. While newer drugs like Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) have shown promise in treating resistant forms of the disease,they also carry a risk of ocular toxicity,including blurred vision,corneal disorders,cataracts,and dry eye,in over half of patients.

Lanier’s project aims to mitigate these side effects by exploring vaginally administered nanoparticles suspended in a hydrogel. The hypothesis is that this method will more effectively target ovarian cancer tissue compared to systemic delivery, thus reducing adverse reactions in the eye.

Hydrogel Technology: Enhancing Drug Retention and Release

The hydrogel is engineered to improve local retention and controlled release of drug-loaded nanoparticles while minimizing systemic side effects.Lanier’s lab is currently refining the nanoparticle technology and plans to test it on patient-derived xenograft samples and animal membranes throughout the remainder of the year.

did You Know? Nanoparticles are being explored for various drug delivery methods due to their ability to target specific cells and tissues, reducing the impact on healthy cells.

A Vision for Health Equity in Nanomedicine

This research aligns with Lanier’s broader vision for the Nanomedicine Toward Health Equity Lab: to advance women’s healthcare and develop new drug delivery options for diseases associated with health disparities. She aims to understand how differences like chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs influence drug delivery effectiveness.

As a notable example, vascularization changes in ovaries and breast tissue throughout the menstrual cycle may present ideal times for targeted treatments for endometriosis and various cancers. Understanding these fluctuations, as well as those during perimenopause, menopause, and after hysterectomy, can revolutionize treatment options.

Preliminary findings from Lanier’s postdoctoral research at the University of Texas at Austin suggest that sex-based differences may affect how cells uptake nanoparticles,informing future targeted delivery studies.This insight highlights the importance of advancing research into sex-based differences to develop effective drug dosing for all individuals.

Grant Funding and Mentorship

lanier’s pilot proposal grant will cover the costs of nanoparticle and hydrogel characterization and sample experimentation. The institutional research grant awarded to Unm aims to boost cancer-related research projects at the university through pilot awards to junior faculty members.

Michelle Ozbun, Maralyn S. Budke endowed Professor of Viral Oncology, serves as the primary investigator and program director for the institutional research grant. Lanier will receive mentorship from Sarah Adams, professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Mara Steinkamp, assistant professor in the Department of Pathology, both at the Unm cancer Center.

Progress in Ovarian Cancer Treatment

This innovative study is timely,considering how ovarian cancer affects many women. In 2024, The American Cancer Society estimates that about 19,710 women will receive a new diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The ovarian cancer death rate is slowly decreasing. This is probably the result of treatment advances.

Treatment Option	Description	Potential Benefits
Nanoparticle-Packed Gel	Targeted drug delivery via vaginal management	Reduced side effects,improved drug retention
Elahere	Newer drug for resistant ovarian cancer	Success in treating resistant forms
Traditional Chemotherapy	standard treatment for ovarian cancer	Effective but can cause systemic side effects

Pro Tip: Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized medical advice and treatment options.

What impact do you think targeted drug delivery systems will have on cancer treatment in the next decade? How can we encourage more women to participate in biomedical research to ensure equitable healthcare outcomes?

The Future of Ovarian Cancer Research

Research into ovarian cancer has broadened considerably over the last decade. Scientists are now focusing not only on the cancer cells themselves, but also on the microenvironment that surrounds them, wich can play a critical role in cancer progression and drug resistance.

Personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup and specific tumor characteristics, is also gaining traction. This approach aims to maximize treatment effectiveness while minimizing side effects, representing a significant leap forward from traditional “one-size-fits-all” treatments.

frequently Asked Questions

• What is the new approach to ovarian cancer treatment being developed?

  Researchers are exploring the use of nanoparticle-packed gel for targeted drug delivery to treat ovarian cancer more effectively.

• How does the nanoparticle treatment differ from traditional methods?

  The nanoparticle treatment aims to target cancer cells more directly, reducing systemic side effects compared to traditional chemotherapy.

• What makes this ovarian cancer research significant for women’s health?

  The research focuses on addressing the historical exclusion of women from biomedical research by developing therapies tailored to female-specific biology.

• What is Elahere and what are its side effects?

  Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) is a newer drug for resistant ovarian cancer, but it can cause eye problems like blurred vision and cataracts in many patients.

• How does vaginal delivery of nanoparticles help?

  vaginal delivery of nanoparticles in a hydrogel is hypothesized to reduce ocular toxicity by targeting ovarian cancer tissue more effectively than systemic delivery.

• What are some benefits of using nanoparticle technology?

  Nanoparticle technology offers the potential for targeted drug delivery, improved local retention, and minimized systemic side effects.

• What future ovarian cancer research is planned?

  future research includes examining how factors like hormones and the menstrual cycle impact drug delivery effectiveness for various women’s health conditions.

Share this article and let us know your thoughts in the comments. How do you see these advancements impacting women’s health?

Disclaimer: This article provides information about ongoing research and should not be considered medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns.

Here are a PAA (People Also Ask) related question for the provided text:

the Promise of Engineering in Ovarian Cancer Treatment

The landscape of ovarian cancer treatment is rapidly evolving, with engineering playing a pivotal role in developing innovative therapies and improving patient outcomes. Beyond traditional methods like chemotherapy and surgery, engineers are designing advanced tools and techniques to target cancer cells more effectively and minimize side effects. This article dives into the dynamic world of engineering in ovarian cancer treatment, including precision medicine, targeted therapy and biomarker discovery.

Targeted Drug delivery Systems

One of the most promising areas is the development of targeted drug delivery systems. These systems are engineered to deliver chemotherapy drugs directly to the tumor site, minimizing exposure to healthy cells and reducing side effects. This is achieved through:

• Nanoparticles: Tiny particles engineered to encapsulate and deliver chemotherapy drugs to cancer cells.
• Liposomes: Spherical vesicles made of lipids that can carry drugs directly to the tumor microenvironment.
• Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs): Antibodies linked to chemotherapy drugs, which target cancer cells by binding to specific proteins on their surface.

Engineering Challenges and Solutions

Engineering approaches facing cancer have certain challenges, including: the development of drug resistance and immune evasion by cancer cells and the complexity of the tumor micro-environment and also the challenges in personalized medicine. The solutions include:

• Immunotherapy: Engineering strategies to boost the immune system’s ability to fight cancer cells.
• Combination therapy: Combining different engineering approaches, for example, using nanoparticles to deliver immuno-modulating drugs.

Engineering strategies for Ovarian Cancer Treatment

Advanced Diagnostics

Early and accurate diagnosis is critical in improving ovarian cancer survival rates. Engineers are developing complex diagnostic tools to detect the disease at its earliest stages, including:

• Liquid biopsies: Analyzing blood samples to detect circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
• Bio-sensing technologies: Utilizing sensors to detect specific biomarkers associated with ovarian cancer.
• Advanced imaging techniques: Developing new imaging modalities with improved sensitivity and resolution.

Case study: Nanoparticle-Based Therapy

A notable success story involves the use of nanoparticles to deliver paclitaxel, a chemotherapy drug, directly to ovarian cancer cells. Researchers at the University of California developed a nanoparticle formulation that significantly improved the drug’s efficacy and reduced side effects. This case study highlights the potential of engineering to change treatment.

Benefits of Engineering Approaches

The submission of engineering principles in ovarian cancer treatment holds several advantages over traditional methods. These include:

• Increased drug efficacy: Targeted drug delivery.
• Reduced side effects: Minimizing exposure of healthy cells to toxic treatments.
• Personalized treatment: Tailoring treatment to the individual patient’s needs using personalized medicine.
• Improved patient outcomes: Enhanced survival rates and quality of life.
• Early detection: Engineering allows for faster and more accurate ways to detect cancer.

practical Tips and Future Directions

Stay informed by following scientific publications, reputable medical sites and clinical trial updates. Future directions include personalized medicine and the development of innovative therapies.

Important note: Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical advice and treatment decisions related to ovarian cancer treatment.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional for any medical concerns.