PSMA-targeting nanoparticle for prostate cancer therapy
JHU Ref #: C10180
Value Proposition:
· Engineered nanoparticle system with potent urea-based PSMA inhibitor
· Drug loaded nanoparticle
· Specific and selective tumor cytotoxicity
Unmet Need
Prostate cancer affects millions of men globally and is a leading cause of cancer death in men. The management and treatment options for prostate cancer vary based on disease stratification and may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, surgery, and/or cryotherapy. Surface protein prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an overexpressed protein by malignant prostate epithelial cells compared to normal tissue and is being used as a target for delivering therapies. Despite significant advances in therapeutic options, prostate cancer still remains one of the most common malignancies in men.
Technology Description
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed a polymeric nanoparticle coated with a PEGylated urea-based inhibitor of PSMA. The nanoparticle, which can be loaded with cancer chemotherapeutics, takes advantage of enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect to allow molecules to accumulate more in tumor tissue. The PSMA-targeted nanoparticles were shown to bind specifically to PSMA expressing prostate cancer cells and selectivity inhibit their growth.
Stage of Development
Technology has been patented: US10369113B2
Data Availability
Data available at below publication.
Publication
Chandran et al., Characterization of a targeted nanoparticle functionalized with a urea-based inhibitor of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA). Cancer Biol Ther. June 2008.
