Researchers from Cornell University have developed a combination therapy to treat cancers such as prostate and colon. The nanoparticle delivery platform uses a simple nanoparticle design but two separate vehicles.
The two independent particles include one that encapsulates the cancer drug piperlongumine (PL) and a second that has the protein TRAIL on its surface. TRAIL induces the process of cell death called apoptosis.
The scientists first administered the PL to sensitize the cancer cells. And then the TRAIL, chemically conjugated to the surface of liposomes, gave the tumor a final blow. They found in mice that apoptotic rates were higher with the dual therapy than with the cancer drug alone.
They published their findings in the journal Technology.
"We have found that liposomal TRAIL shows great promise for the destruction of tumor cells in the bloodstream, lymphatic system, and also in solid tumors," senior author Michael King said in a statement, along with members from his team.
- here's the release