RNAi gene silencing technologies have shown significant potential for treating various diseases, including cancer. However, clinical success in cancer therapy remains elusive, mainly owing to suboptimal in vivo delivery of RNAi therapeutics. We developed a library of ultra-pH-responsive polymers and demonstrated the utility of these materials in targeted and deep tumor-penetrating nanoparticle (NP) for in vivo RNAi. The new NP platform is mainly composed of the following key components: i) internalizing RGD (iRGD) to enhance tumor targeting and tissue penetration; ii) polyethylene glycol (PEG) chains to prolong blood circulation; and iii) sharp pH-responsive hydrophobic polymer to improve endosome escape.
Excessive inflammation and failed resolution of the inflammatory responses are underlying components of numerous conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Unfortunately, controlled delivery of the inflammation-resolving therapeutics to lesions is challenging. Thus, we design novel nanoformulations capable of carrying the inflammation-resolving therapeutic drugs to the inflammatory lesions efficiently, and demonstrate their therapeutic efficacy and pro-resolving potential in diverse animal models. This technology provides a step closer to the development of novel therapeutic nanoplatforms for inflammatory disease treatment.
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Oral administration is considered the most favorable route of administration than injection because of convenience and compliance by patients, resulting in improved treatment efficacy, but it is challenging for biologic drugs like insulin. In our lab, we designed a novel multi-stage nanoparticle delivery system designed to overcome all of the barriers of the gastrointestinal tract and provide efficient oral delivery of insulin. In which the nanoparticles will protect the biologic from the adverse environment in the gastrointestinal tract, get actively transported across the intestinal barrier, and rapidly release their payload to effectively deliver and maximize the efficacy of the biologic. This technology is expected to have a significant impact on diseases that are currently limited to injection-based therapies, notably diabetes.
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