Could Intercellular Protein Deliver with Hybrid Nanotubes be a Breakthrough in Cancer Treatment?

Professor Takeo Miyake and associates at Japan’s Waseda University and the RIKEN Institute’s Mikawa Group have developed a hybrid nanotube stamp system for intracellular delivery of proteins. This novel technique simultaneously delivers different types of cargo, such as UQ (ubiquitin protein) and lactate oxidase (LOx) into adhesive cells directly. These adhesion molecules give cancer cells more binding power to adhere to the extracellular matrix.

About Gene Therapy

Targeted therapies and precision medicine are highly regarded today due to their ability to personalize treatment to patients while reducing adverse events. One of the goals of gene therapy is to correct an errant gene or substitute it with a normal gene to cure the disorder and assist the body in fighting the disease.  In the past three decades many viral and nonviral gene delivery systems have been designed but so far none can be utilized in every cell type without limitations or side effects.

Gene transfer approaches indicate a potential to deliver therapeutic genes to cells to address certain diseases, but they also have drawbacks which affect safety and efficacy. On the contrary, the novel hybrid nanotube stamp system is set to revolutionize the field of precision medicine by being highly efficient.

Their novel technique delivers various cargos simultaneously. The ‘cargo’ includes, but is not limited to, ubiquitin (UQ) protein, and lactate oxidase (LOx) delivered into adhesive cells. These adhesion molecules enable cancer cells to have stronger binding power against the extracellular matrix (ECM). The professors’ research, which included testing the potential to deliver the LOx enzyme to treat cancer, was published in the May 2024 issue of Analytical Chemistry.

Prof. Miyake stated that through their novel stamp system the team delivered LOx to cancerous HeLa cells and unaffected mesenchymal stem cells which are considered immortalized due to mutations in their DNA. Although MSC cells were not affected, the team observed substantial cancerous HeLa deaths following LOx treatment.

The Professor, speaking on behalf of the team, stated that their findings showcase the potential of LOx in attacking cancer cells and sparing normal cells. The tests ended after the successful delivery of 15N isotope-labeled UQ proteins using the new HYnT stamp delivery system. The Professor and his team noted that the novel delivery facilitated an analysis of protein structures in the cells. The researchers were able to confirm that UQ had been delivered to the HeLa cells while other test results matched UQ protein concentration to a solution of a 15N-labeled UQ concentration.

The Professor again emphasized the encouraging potential of the novel HyNT stamp system to deliver UQ and LOx into a significant number of adhesive cells. The system was rated exceptionally high with an 89.9% rating proving it is effective in the transportation of therapeutic proteins into target cells.

cancer cancer treatment oncology

Last modified: July 1, 2024