Double action cancer therapy | NNVC.OB Message Board Posts

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[While not directly related to NNVC it is of important interest in that it uses a polymer nanoparticle - PLGA - to carry the ingredients to the source - in this case a cancer whereas NNVC targets viruses using a polymer nanoparticle.]

16 March 2010

Scientists in Taiwan have demonstrated a more effective approach to treat cancer using multifunctional nanoparticle. The particles simultaneously attack tumours with chemotherapy and photothermal therapy as well as allowing their position and size to be ascertained.

While metal nanoparticles have been shown to kill tumour cells when irradiated with light from a laser, the limited size of the laser beam spot can mean that some cancerous cells are missed. Combining chemotherapy with phototherapy could be a promising approach to overcome this disadvantage. Now, Chen-Sheng Yeh at the National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, and colleagues have made nanoparticles that deliver the anticancer drug Taxol and also contain gold for phototherapy.

Combining photodynamic therapy and radiation therapy for deep cancer treatment,

2009 : June 2009 - Fast Breaking Papers : Wei Chen

FAST BREAKING PAPERS - 2009 June 2009 Wei Chen talks with ScienceWatch.com and answers a few questions about this month's Fast Breaking Paper in the field of Materials Science. Article Title: Nanoparticle fluorescence based technology for biological applications Authors: Chen, W Journal: J NANOSCI NANOTECHNOL Volume: 8 Issue: 3 Page: 1019-1051 Year: MAR 2008 * Univ Texas Arlington, Dept Phys, POB 19059, Arlington, TX 76019 USA. * Univ Texas Arlington, Dept Phys, Arlington, TX 76019 USA. Why do you think your paper is highly cited? This is a review article that summarized the research projects undertaken in my lab. It also introduced several related activities from among other groups. Several of our projects have been of interest to public readers. This paper contains much new information and I think this may have been why it has been highly cited. Does it describe a new discovery, methodology, or synthesis of knowledge? It describes new concepts and methodologies, particularly the concept of nanoparticle self-lighting photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment, the concept of combining photodynamic therapy and radiation therapy for deep cancer treatment, and the applications of nanoparticle photosensitizers for cancer treatment. These are brand new approaches in nanotechnology. Would you summarize the significance of your paper in layman's terms? In this paper, we introduced several new developments in nanotechnology for biological applications. For example, nanoparticle-based photodynamic therapy is one of the most exciting approaches described in this article. The goal is to find an efficient cancer therapy by developing X-ray luminescence nanoparticles as a light source for photodynamic therapy. Photodynamic therapy has been designated as a "promising new modality in the treatment of cancer" since the early 1980s. Light must be delivered in order to activate photodynamic therapy. Most drugs used for photodynamic therapy require ultraviolet or blue light for activation. Unfortunately, ultraviolet and blue light have minimal penetration into tissue and their application for deep cancer therapy is a problem. "...the slowing economy in the USA has really affected the funding of many new scientific projects." To solve this problem and also to enhance the treatment for deep cancers, we proposed a new photodynamic therapy system in which the light is generated by X-ray luminescence nanoparticles. The X-ray luminescence nanoparticles and afterglow nanoparticles are attached to photoactive drugs and, when the nanoparticle-drug systems are targeted to the tumor and are stimulated by an X-ray during radiotherapy, these nanoparticles will generate light (energy) which activate the drugs for photodynamic therapy. In this case, no direct light delivery to the tumor is necessary and very low doses of radiation are needed. In this modality, the radiation and photodynamic therapies are combined and occur simultaneously, so that the tumor destruction will be more efficient. More importantly, it can be used for deep tumor treatment, as X-rays can penetrate deeply into the tissue. Once demonstrated, this will provide a simple but more efficient modality for breast cancer treatment. How did you become involved in this research, and were there any problems along the way? I have been working on nanotechnologies for the past 15 years. My original work concentrated on trying to use quantum dots for in vivo imaging, with a concentration on the challenge of light penetration. I also have experience with the design and synthesis scintillation measurement for nanoparticles. I knew light delivery was also a challenging issue for photodynamic therapy, just like in vivo optical imaging. I then arrived at the idea to combine photodynamic therapy with radiation therapy through scintillation nanoparticles for deep cancer treatment. Photodynamic therapy is not new, nor is radiation therapy, but the combination of both through scintillation nanoparticles is new and potentially important for deep cancer treatment. I introduced the concept in a paper published in the Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in 2006. (Wei Chen and Jun Zhang, "Using Nanoparticles to Enable Simultaneous Radiation and Photodynamic Therapies for Cancer Treatment," Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 6[4]: 1159-66, April, 2006). Initial results of the studies have been promising. But before "nanoparticle self-lighting photodynamic therapy" becomes a clinical reality, researchers must overcome two main challenges: 1) they need to develop a class of water-soluble scintillation nanoparticles with very high quantum efficiencies of X-ray luminescence, and 2) they need to improve the targeting capabilities of the nanoparticle-photosensitizer compound—but this is a challenge for all drug-based cancer treatments. Most recently, we've used afterglow nanoparticles for photodynamic therapy activation. This is a good solution for improving efficiency since afterglow nanoparticles will maintain their luminescence for a certain period of time after activation. In this case, the radiation dose will be reduced exponentially. This new concept is also introduced in a recent publication: Chen, W. "Nanoparticle self-Lighting photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment," J. Biomed. Nanotechnol 4[4]: 369-76, 2008. Where do you see your research leading in the future? This concept is getting more popular and has become intriguing to many investigators. I think this will become quite a hot area during the next decade and that products for practical applications will, sooner or later, be realized. One of our recent review papers has appeared on the ScienceDirect "25 Hottest Articles" list for October—December, 2008: (Juzenas, P., et al.,"Quantum dots and nanoparticles for photodynamic and radiation therapies of cancer," Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews [60]15: 1600-14, December 2008). By the way, many cancer patients and/or their families have contacted me directly and enquired as to the timing for this new modality to become available for patient treatment. I have sensed this urgent need and that is the key motivation for my research. Do you foresee any social or political implications for your research? Although there are no obvious political implications for my research, the slowing economy in the USA has really affected the funding of many new scientific projects. Wei Chen, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Physics Department of Physics The University of Texas at Arlington Arlington, TX, USA Source

Studies Show Combination Laser Therapy Effective At Clearing Acne, Reducing Oil Production

Posted : Thu, 05 Mar 2009 22:00:23 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO, March 5

AAD-lasertherapy-acne

Dermatologist evaluates the latest laser and light sources approved for treating acne

SAN FRANCISCO, March 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- From the removal of childhood birthmarks to skin rejuvenation, laser technology has become a mainstay in dermatology. Now, dermatologists are fine-tuning this technology to safely and effectively treat one of the most common skin conditions that plagues teenagers and adults alike: acne.

Speaking today at the 67th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology [AAD] (Academy), dermatologist Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, MD, PhD, FAAD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn., presented scientific data illustrating how photodynamic therapy combined with a long-pulse, pulsed-dye laser and topical 5-aminolevulinic acid provides long-lasting clearance of acne lesions.

"Laser technology has made great inroads in the treatment of acne, which until recently has been treated almost exclusively - and with varying degrees of success - with topical, systemic and hormonal medications," said Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas. "Now, we have solid evidence-based medicine supporting the effectiveness of certain laser therapies as a long-term solution for treating active acne. The key is to distinguish the benefits and limitations of these available technologies and select the most effective treatments for each acne patient."

Photodynamic Therapy with a Photosensitizer
In a preliminary study, Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas examined whether a combination of photodynamic therapy (PDT) with a photosensitizer known as topical 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) and activated by long-pulse, pulsed dye laser could safely and effectively clear mild to severe cases of acne. PDT works by using laser or light energy - in this case a pulsed dye laser was used - to activate the ALA, which is a solution that penetrates into the oil glands and is applied to the skin one hour prior to treatment. As it penetrates, ALA binds to the oil glands and sensitizes the cells to light.

The 14 patients treated with ALA PDT received one to six treatments depending on the severity of their acne and continued to use topical medications during and after the study. The control group consisted of four patients who were either treated with conventional therapy (such as systemic or topical medications) or with laser energy but without ALA PDT.

Upon analyzing the data, Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas found that all (100 percent) of the 14 patients in the ALA PDT treatment group experienced complete clearance of their acne. She reported that an average of 2.9 ALA PDT treatments was administered to this patient group and improvement in the acne lesions was visible within one to two weeks after the first treatment. By comparison, none of the four patients in the control group who were treated with either laser energy alone or conventional therapy achieved complete clearance of their acne.

"The first-of-a-kind study found this particular form of photodynamic therapy used in conjunction with topical therapy to be the first such treatment to achieve complete clearance of acne up to 13 months post treatment and a 77 percent clearance rate per treatment. Four subsequent studies conducted by other investigators involving an additional 75 patients demonstrated similar results," said Dr. Alexiades-Armenakas. "Patients also experienced an added benefit of significant improvement in their acne scars, as the pulsed dye laser offers superior penetration to the deeper layers of the skin where scars form."
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Quest PharmaTech - Photosensitizer SL052

Quest PharmaTech Announces Results Showing its Photosensitizer, SL052, is an Effective Immuno-Stimulant when combined with Immunotherapy for the Removal of Solid Tumors

Wednesday, March 4, 2009, 12:36 pm EST

TSX Venture: QPT - QUEST PHARMATECH INC. (Tier2) (QPT.V) QUOTES

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WIPO WO/2008/011707 WO/2007/016762

EDMONTON, March 4 /CNW/ - Quest PharmaTech Inc. (TSX-V: QPT - News), ("Quest" or the "Company") a pharmaceutical company developing and commercializing products for the treatment of cancer and dermatological conditions, today announced results from a study designed to investigate the effectiveness of its proprietary SL052 for photodynamic therapy (PDT) used in combination with immunotherapeutic agents in solid tumor animal models. The study, conducted by Dr. Mladen Korbelik at the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, demonstrated that SL052 increased the potency and effectiveness of immunotherapeutic agents when used in combination with SL052 PDT.

The results also confirmed that SL052 was an effective and well tolerated photosensitizer for PDT ablation of two highly tumorigenic, solid murine tumors. Further, the results demonstrated that photodynamic therapy generated direct local cytotoxicity and induced a systemic immune response, which could enhance its therapeutic effect on both primary tumors and metastases at distant sites.

The study tested several applications of SL052 and evaluated host recognition and immunological destruction of solid tumors. The results indicate the potential of SL052 PDT for use in combination with cancer vaccines to generate a superior immune response compared with vaccines alone. The study also revealed that SL052 PDT may be effectively combined with either single or multiple-complementary effectors of the host's immune response to substantially boost the frequency of permanent cures.

"The effects of immunotherapy can be amplified when combined with photodynamic therapy, potentially making immunophotodynamic therapy a superior systemic cancer treatment modality," said Thomas Woo, Vice President of Product Development at Quest.

SL052 is a non-toxic agent with broad potential to treat a variety of solid tumors using photodynamic (light activation) therapy or sonodynamic (ultrasound activation) therapy. Photodynamic therapy is applicable for superficial level solid tumors and sonodynamic therapy targets more deeply seated solid tumors.

"These results further define the therapeutic profile of SL052," stated Dr. Madi R. Madiyalakan, Chief Executive Officer at Quest. "While its activation through either photodynamic or sonodynamic therapy was already established, we now have a clear indication of its potential to act as either an immune response stimulator or as a cancer vaccine. Taken together, these characteristics of SL052 provide a new potential treatment modality for cancer therapy."

About SL052

SL052 is a member of Quest PharmaTech's SonoLight Portfolio with the potential to reduce or eliminate the side effects associated with currently available cancer treatment modalities: surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Its properties of activation with harmless physical agents (light and ultrasound), combined with its ability to generate cancer vaccines and stimulate an anti-cancer immune response warrant further development in a broad-spectrum oncology arena. With these results, the next development stage for SL052 is a Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of Prostate Cancer. Quest is presently awaiting approval from Health Canada that will allow it to initiate a Phase I clinical trial for SL052.

About Quest PharmaTech Inc.

Quest is a publicly traded, Alberta-based pharmaceutical company committed to the development and commercialization of new pharmaceutical products. It is developing a series of products for the treatment of cancer and dermatological conditions based on its unique photodynamic and sonodynamic therapy platforms.

     Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as
that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information

Dr. Madi R. Madiyalakan, Chief Executive Officer, Quest PharmaTech Inc., Tel: (780) 448-1400 Ext. 204, Email: madi@questpharmatech.com, Internet: www.questpharmatech.com
Media and Investor Relations, Adam Peeler, The Equicom Group Inc., Tel: (416) 815-0700 Ext. 225, Email: apeeler@equicomgroup.com

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