Bioengineers at Rice University have achieved a remarkable feat: eliminating advanced-stage ovarian and colorectal cancer in mice in as little as six days using a groundbreaking treatment. This treatment, which involves implantable “drug factories” the size of a pinhead, has shown promising results and may soon enter human clinical trials.
The research team utilized implantable drug-producing beads to continuously deliver high doses of interleukin-2, a natural compound known to activate white blood cells to combat cancer. These miniature drug factories, implanted via minimally invasive surgery, contain cells engineered to produce interleukin-2, enclosed within a protective shell.
Swift Progress Towards Clinical Trials
Lead author Omid Veiseh, along with collaborators from Rice University, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and the University of Virginia, spearheaded the study. Veiseh, an assistant professor of bioengineering, underscores the urgency of their approach, aiming to expedite relief for cancer patients. The team prioritized components with established safety profiles in humans, ensuring rapid progress toward clinical trials.
“We administer the treatment once, and the drug factories continue producing the necessary dose daily, precisely targeting cancer cells until they are eliminated,” explains Veiseh. The researchers achieved a remarkable success rate, eradicating tumors in all animals with ovarian cancer and the majority with colorectal cancer.
In the study, drug-producing beads were strategically placed near tumors and within the peritoneum, maximizing interleukin-2 concentration within tumors while minimizing systemic exposure.
This localized delivery approach enhances tumor inflammation and anti-tumor immunity while mitigating systemic side effects commonly associated with traditional treatment methods.
Clinical Implications and Future Directions
Dr. Amir Jazaeri, a co-author of the study and professor of gynecologic oncology and reproductive medicine at MD Anderson, emphasizes the significance of this approach in advancing immunotherapy. He underscores the need for clinical testing to validate these promising findings further.
The researchers highlight the versatility of their approach, suggesting its potential application in treating various cancers affecting different organs. Furthermore, they envision customizing drug-loaded beads to deliver specific immunotherapeutic compounds tailored to individual cancer types.
A Collaborative Endeavor with Real-World Impact
The research, supported by various funding sources including the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas and the National Institutes of Health, underscores the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in combating cancer.
Co-authorship from multiple institutions and the involvement of Avenge Bio, a Massachusetts-based startup co-founded by Veiseh, exemplify the concerted effort towards translating laboratory discoveries into tangible clinical benefits.
