microRNA-based and novel molecular therapeutics in thoracic cancers

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

This project continues to be developed. We are systematically testing the functional relevance of several candidate microRNA associated with and biologically active in mesothelioma which have been reported from our lab with several more in the pipeline. To translate this body of work we have developed a clinical delivery platform based on peptide nanoparticle-hydrogel composite material that can effectively deliver microRNA to tumor cells (in vivo mesothelioma models). Refinements are being made to optimize efficacy and performance characteristics (e.g. scale-up manufacturing) of this hydrogel-based system. We recently reported an updated nanoparticle design with superior stability for manufacture (and eventual translation). We are branching out application of this delivery system to test other nucleic acids-type cargos (non miRNA including non-nucleic acids such as small molecules). We have created new manufacture protocols to arrive at a working prototype of the next generation mesothelial cell model for mesothelioma oncogenesis investigation adapted from 3D bioprinting techniques. In this new model construct we are using multiple cell types derived from human tissues to reconstruct an ex-vivo equivalent of the pleural membrane "organ". Additionally, the mesothelial cells have enabled functional genomics screening as a discovery tool for discovering novel driver genes in mesothelioma.