Breakthrough in Cancer Research: Nanoparticle-Targeted Therapy Shows Promise

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at Universite Paris Cite have made a significant discovery in the fight against prostate cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men worldwide. According to a recent study, a targeted therapy using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) decorated with an anti-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) nanobody has shown enhanced and specific uptake in PSMA+ cancer cells, both in vitro and in a zebrafish metastatic PCa xenograft model. The study, which has been peer-reviewed, has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • Prostate cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men worldwide, with 10-20% of cases progressing to an incurable, castration-resistant stage.
  • The study used lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) decorated with an anti-PSMA nanobody, which are taken up by PSMA+ cancer cells and deliver mRNA for targeted therapy.
  • The LNP system showed enhanced and specific uptake in PSMA+ cancer cells, both in vitro and in a zebrafish metastatic PCa xenograft model.
  • Systemic administration of the LNP system in a mouse PSMA-positive xenograft model resulted in increased LNP accumulation, but not functional mRNA delivery.
  • The study highlights the potential and challenges of using a PSMA-targeted lipid nanoparticle system for mRNA delivery into advanced prostate cancer tumors.
  • Financial supporters for this research include Fondation ARC pour la Recherche sur le Cancer, Fondation pour la recherche medicale, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Horizon 2020, HORIZON EUROPE Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions.

Statistics:

  • 10-20% of prostate cancer cases progress to an incurable, castration-resistant stage.
  • Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is overexpressed in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells.
  • 80% of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) decorated with an anti-PSMA nanobody have at least one nanobody on their surface.
  • The LNP system shows enhanced and specific uptake in PSMA+ cancer cells, both in vitro and in a zebrafish metastatic PCa xenograft model.
  • Systemic administration of the LNP system in a mouse PSMA-positive xenograft model results in increased LNP accumulation, but not functional mRNA delivery.

Sources:

  • Nanobody-Decorated Lipid Nanoparticles for Enhanced mRNA Delivery to Tumors In Vivo. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 2025.
  • Universite Paris Cite Reports Findings in Cancer (Nanobody-Decorated Lipid Nanoparticles for Enhanced mRNA Delivery to Tumors In Vivo). Nanotechnology Weekly. July 14, 2025; p 1732.