Development of Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Chemo/Radio-Sensitizers for Intrathecal Delivery
Background
Pediatric brain tumors often are treated with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments are effective but lead to significant late effects on long-term survivors.
Project Goal
We seek to develop a new approach to deliver radio- and chemo-sensitizing agents directly into the spinal cord fluid, where tumor cells often are found and mediate recurrence. This approach will greatly enhance treatment responses, while at the same time minimizing toxicity.
Project Update - June 2020
We have made great progress in Year 1 of our project. We have created a diverse range of nanoparticles containing unique DNA repair inhibitors, and we have developed optimized protocols to deliver them into the spinal fluid of both mice and rats. We have developed key techniques to monitor their persistence in the spinal fluid over time, in a non-invasive manner. Our progress this year sets the stage for an exciting series of experiments in which we will demonstrate activity in various animal models of pediatric brain tumors.
