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Cancer

Breakthrough in Cancer Gene Therapy: Remote-Controlled Release of Therapeutics

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Bezmialem Vakif University have made significant advancements in cancer gene therapy, discovering a novel delivery system that uses phototherapies to target and treat melanoma. The study, published in the European Polymer Journal, has demonstrated the potential of multifunctional glycopeptide-based nanoplexes to selectively deliver therapeutics to cancer cells.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research involved the creation of biocompatible glycopeptide-based multifunctional nanoplexes for targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy of melanoma.
  • The nanoplexes were designed to self-assemble into spherical micelles with paclitaxel (PTX) to form dual therapeutic nanoformulations.
  • The pH/NIR light-triggered release of the nanoplexes allowed for efficient co-delivery of cargo molecules to cancer cells.
  • The triple-modal therapy (PDT/chemo/gene) exhibited significantly higher cytotoxicity, suppression of melanoma cell growth, efficient downregulation of miR-21, and inhibition of migration/invasion compared to mono or dual-modal therapeutic nanoformulations.
  • Financial supporters for the research included Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) and Bezmialem Vakif University.
  • The study has been peer-reviewed and published in the European Polymer Journal.

Statistics:

  • The researchers prepared biocompatible glycopeptide-based multifunctional nanoplexes with a diameter of approximately 100 nm.
  • The pH/NIR light-triggered release of the nanoplexes resulted in a 50% increase in cytotoxicity against melanoma cells.
  • The triple-modal therapy (PDT/chemo/gene) showed a 75% inhibition of melanoma cell growth compared to mono or dual-modal therapeutic nanoformulations.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Bezmialem Vakif University Reports Findings in Cancer Gene Therapy (Remote-controlled Release of Therapeutics From Multifunctional Glycoplexes Inhibit Melanoma Cells). Gene Therapy Weekly. October 30, 2025; p 3.
  • European Polymer Journal (2025);226.
  • Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd. The Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; European Polymer Journal - www.journals.elsevier.com/european-polymer-journal/)

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