Nanotubes: a new vehicle for targeted drug delivery

Grant Information

Institute - Imperial College London
Researcher - Dr Robert Kypta
Grant Award - £157,116
Duration of Funding - 2022-2024
Status - Complete
Reference - RIA19-ST2-009

Why did we fund this project?

• While current treatments for prostate cancer can be very effective at killing prostate cancer cells, they can also damage healthy cells, leading to challenging side effects for men.

• Dr Robert Kypta, Dr Fang Xie and Professor Alexandra Porter from Imperial College London joined forces to develop a way to deliver drugs directly to prostate cancer cells, helping to protect healthy cells.

What did the researchers do?

• The team first created tiny tubes, called nanotubes, and loaded them with a drug that is known to kill prostate cancer cells. 

• They then developed a molecule that can recognise prostate cancer cells and attached it to the surface of the nanotubes, allowing the drug to be delivered directly to prostate cancer cells. 

• Finally, the researchers tested whether the nanotubes could reach prostate cancer cells, release the drug and slow the growth of prostate cancer cells. 

What did the researchers achieve? 

• The team successfully created nanotubes that are safe, can break down in the body, and can carry large amounts of a drug.
  
  
• The specially developed molecule on the surface of the nanotubes helped them target prostate cancer cells and slow their growth.
  

How will this benefit men?

• If clinical trials are successful, nanotubes could be used to deliver many different types of drugs directly to prostate cancer cells.

• This targeted approach could help men avoid unnecessary side effects, ultimately improving quality of life for men living with prostate cancer.