Scientists Test Nasal Treatment for Deadly Pancreatic Tumors
A groundbreaking approach led by a team of scientists, including Rice University chemist James Tour, has the potential to revolutionize the treatment landscape for pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal forms of cancer with scarce therapeutic choices.
The researchers have developed a targeted nasal delivery method that repurposes a drug known as WR-2721, or amifostine, traditionally administered intravenously, to address the challenges of pancreatic cancer treatment.
Pancreatic cancer is known for its aggressive nature, with nearly 52,000 lives lost annually in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.
Its proximity to vital organs, such as the small intestine, complicates treatment strategies, as high-dose radiation therapy frequently leads to severe gastrointestinal complications.
Sniffing out cancer
For patients with unresectable tumors, options are severely limited. This new research, which has advanced to phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, seeks to protect healthy tissues from radiation damage, thereby improving patient outcomes in a field that desperately needs innovation.
Tour, who serves as the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry at Rice, reflected on the research journey, stating, “We’re pushing the boundaries of radiation treatment while safeguarding healthy tissue. This breakthrough will hopefully soon assist patients who previously had limited treatment options.”
The foundation of this innovative work can be traced back almost two decades, rooted in Tour’s research funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that explored nanoparticle solutions for radiation poisoning scenarios related to nuclear fallout.
As the project evolved, it paved the way for repurposing amifostine, a drug originally developed in the 1970s at Walter Reed Medical Center.
Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for intravenous use, amifostine protects surrounding healthy tissue during radiation treatment for tumors.
Although intravenous administration of amifostine is effective, its associated side effects—such as nausea and hypotension—have hindered broader acceptance among clinicians and patients.
Tour’s team found that orally administered amifostine could selectively shield the gastrointestinal tract from radiation while minimizing adverse effects.
However, the challenge has been that stomach acids often degrade the drug before it can reach the intestines.
Nasal drug
After facing funding challenges that stalled their progress, the project regained momentum through collaborative efforts at MD Anderson Cancer Center with retired researcher Kathryn Mason and the late radiation oncologist Cullen Taniguchi.
Preclinical studies conducted in mouse models have shown remarkable promise: mice receiving oral amifostine alongside simulated radiation treatment exhibited a 100% survival rate after ten days, while untreated counterparts did not survive.
Furthermore, combining amifostine with stereotactic body radiotherapy in a pancreatic tumor model nearly tripled survival times, suggesting that similar human results could significantly enhance patient prognosis.
The innovative delivery method being explored uses either a nasoduodenal tube or a specially coated oral tablet designed to bypass stomach acids, effectively delivering amifostine directly to the duodenum, the upper segment of the gastrointestinal tract.
Targeting this critical area protects healthy cells from radiation damage without triggering systemic side effects.
“The duodenum is especially vulnerable during radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer,” noted Guy Yachin, co-founder and CEO of Xerient, the biotech startup working with Rice and MD Anderson.
“Our approach safeguards this region while enabling more aggressive treatment of pancreatic tumors.”
Historically, high-dose radiation has been considered beneficial for improving survival rates in patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer.
Yet, the application has often been limited due to concerns about gastrointestinal toxicity at doses exceeding 45 Gy. This new research indicates that higher doses may be essential for effective tumor eradication, thereby addressing a long-standing gap in treatment options.
Yachin added, “High-dose radiation has always been theoretical, but we haven’t had the necessary tools to protect surrounding healthy tissues. This innovation may finally turn that theory into practice.”
Excitingly, with FDA approval on the horizon, the research team is poised to launch phase 1 and 2 clinical trials.
These trials will rigorously assess the safety and effectiveness of the nasoduodenal delivery method, ensuring precise drug administration to the duodenum and expediting its transition to clinical use.
By navigating the intricate challenges of pancreatic cancer treatment, this novel approach holds the promise of significantly improving survival rates for patients facing one of the most difficult battles against cancer.
Source: Interesting Engineering
Mouse Created With Two Fathers And No Mother Survives to Adulthood
Scientists Test Nasal Treatment for Deadly Pancreatic Tumors