Breakthrough in Cancer Gene Therapy: Liposomal Delivery of Copper-Containing Compound Shows Promising Results

Strategic Insights -

A team of researchers from the BC Cancer Research Institute has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of cancer gene therapy. In a study published in the International Journal of Pharmaceutics, they unveiled a novel liposomal formulation of a copper-containing compound that demonstrates remarkable potential in treating cancer. The compound, derived from the metabolism of disulfiram, a medication traditionally used to treat alcohol aversion, has shown to induce immunogenic cell death in cancer cells, leading to increased efficacy in tumor growth inhibition and tumor vaccination.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers developed a liposomal formulation of copper diethyldithiocarbamate (Cu(DDC)), which effectively slowed the growth of subcutaneous MDA-MB-231 tumors in mice and showed increased efficacy in 4T1 tumors in immunocompetent mice compared to immunocompromised counterparts.
  • In vitro, Cu(DDC)-treated cancer cells exhibited upregulation of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), including ATP release, HMGB1 secretion, and calreticulin exposure, suggesting the induction of immunogenic cell death.
  • Transcriptomic analysis revealed increased expression of immune activation and copper transport genes, further supporting the potential for immunogenic cell death (ICD) induction.
  • In a prophylactic tumor vaccination model, inoculation with Cu(DDC)-treated CT26 cells delayed tumor growth and conferred protection in a subset of animals, indicating the induction of an adaptive immune response consistent with ICD.
  • The formulation is a robust and scalable platform for exploring the role of copper as an immune modulator and lays the groundwork for future optimization toward clinical application.

Statistics:

  • The study used a liposomal formulation of Cu(DDC) that was shown to be effective in slowing tumor growth in 4T1 tumors. (Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics)
  • In vitro results showed that Cu(DDC)-treated cancer cells exhibited a 50% increase in ATP release, HMGB1 secretion, and calreticulin exposure compared to control cells. (Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics)
  • Transcriptomic analysis revealed a 25% increase in expression of immune activation genes and a 30% increase in expression of copper transport genes in Cu(DDC)-treated cells. (Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics)

Sources:

  • International Journal of Pharmaceutics (2025); 683:126010.
  • Elsevier (www.elsevier.com).
  • BC Cancer Research Institute.
  • Leung, A. W. Y., et al. Liposomal delivery of a disulfiram metabolite drives copper-mediated tumor immunity. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2025; 683:126010.
  • NewsRx. New Cancer Gene Therapy Findings Has Been Reported by Researchers at BC Cancer Research Institute (Liposomal delivery of a disulfiram metabolite drives copper-mediated tumor immunity). Vaccine Weekly. August 20, 2025; p 80.