image: Microbubbles carry the anticancer drug to the site of the tumour. Antibodies attached to the microbubbles are attracted to the growth hormone found around cancer cells. Once in situ, an ultrasound device is used to burst the bubbles, releasing the drug. view more
Credit: Please credit: Graphic: Dr Sunjie Ye, University of Leeds/Theranostics
New research has shown how microbubbles carrying powerful cancer drugs can be guided to the site of a tumour using antibodies.
Microbubbles are small manufactured spheres half the size of a red blood cell - and scientists believe they can be used to transport drugs to highly specific locations within the body.
In a paper published in the journal Theranostics, the lead authors of the study, Drs Nicola Ingram and Laura McVeigh from the University of Leeds, describe how they have targeted microbubbles through the use of a 'navigational aid' - antibodies attracted to the growth hormone found in high levels in the blood vessels supplying a tumour.
The antibodies were attached to the microbubbles - and as a result of being attracted to the growth hormone, the microbubbles became concentrated at the site of the tumour. A pulse from an ultrasound device was used to burst open the microbubbles, and that released the anti-cancer agent.
Dr Ingram, Senior Research Fellow in the School of Medicine at Leeds, said being able to deliver anticancer drugs in a very targeted fashion would be a major advance in cancer therapy.
She added: "One of the big problems with cancer drugs is that they are highly toxic to the rest of the body too. Microbubble technology allows us to use these very powerful drugs with precision and that reduces the risk of the drug damaging healthy cells nearby.
"It is about finely focused drug delivery."
The animal-based study also revealed that by attaching the drug directly to the microbubbles allowed it to circulate in the body for longer, increasing delivery into the tumour - in effect making the drug more potent.
As a result, the scientists were able to slow cancer growth with a much smaller drug dose.
Professor Stephen Evans, head of the Molecular and Nanoscale Physics Group at Leeds and one of the paper's authors, said: "The results of this study are exciting because we not only show the very precise and targeted way microbubbles can be guided to cancer sites but that the efficacy of drug delivery is substantially improved, opening the way to use highly toxic drugs to fight cancer, without the harmful side effects.
"Put simply: you get more bang for your buck."
The next stage of the research is to look at using microbubbles to develop targeted, triggered, delivery systems in patients for the diagnosis and treatment of advanced colorectal cancer, the third most common cancer in the UK.
Professor Peter Simpson, Chief Scientific Officer at Medicines Discovery Catapult said: "Complex medicines have the potential to be the third wave of medicines, addressing patients' problems which conventionally administered small molecules and monoclonal antibodies cannot.
"This project is a very encouraging example of exploring how using an advanced drug delivery technology could improve biodistribution, targeting and efficacy of a potentially toxic therapeutic."
This study involved a research team from the universities of Leeds, Bradford, Manchester, and the Medicines Discovery Catapult in Cheshire. The study and a follow-on study were funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. In addition, several PhD students are also developing microbubbles for treatment of other diseases and have been funded by Alumni.
The University of Leeds has established the Leeds Microbubble Consortium, a group of cancer scientists, engineers, physicists and chemists to develop ways microbubble technology could enhance cancer treatment.
Animal Study/ Peer Review/ Experimental
Note to editors
For further information, please contact David Lewis in the University of Leeds press office: d.lewis@leeds.ac.uk or 07710 013287
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK, with more than 37,000 students from more than 150 different countries, and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The University plays a significant role in the Turing, Rosalind Franklin and Royce Institutes.
We are a top ten university for research and impact power in the UK, according to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, and are in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2019.
The University was awarded a Gold rating by the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework in 2017, recognising its 'consistently outstanding' teaching and learning provision. Twenty-six of our academics have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships - more than any other institution in England, Northern Ireland and Wales - reflecting the excellence of our teaching. http://www.leeds.ac.uk
Follow University of Leeds or tag us in to coverage:
Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Instagram
Journal
Theranostics