Selp Embolic Agents: Revolutionizing Chemoembolization For Liver Cancer
ID U-5505
Category Medical Devices
Subcategory Oncology
Researchers
Brief Summary
Leveraging silk-elastin like protein polymers (SELP) to create a transformative liquid-to-solid embolic agent for targeted cancer therapy.
Problem Statement
Current embolic materials for transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) face limitations in tumor penetration, non-degradability, and restricted drug compatibility.
Technology Description
The SELP technology utilizes genetically engineered polymers that transition from liquid to solid upon injection into the bloodstream. These polymers are designed to navigate through the vasculature and solidify within the tumor’s capillary bed, effectively blocking blood flow and inducing tumor necrosis. The SELP polymers are biodegradable, non-toxic, and can be personalized with a mix of therapeutic agents, providing a sustained release of drugs directly to the tumor site. This innovative approach addresses the shortcomings of current synthetic drug-eluting beads (DEB) by enhancing tumor penetration and reducing systemic side effects.
Stage of Development
Pre-Clinical Validation
Benefit
- Enhanced Tumor Penetration: SELP can navigate through small blood vessels and capillaries, ensuring deep tumor penetration and effective embolization.
- Personalized Therapy: The technology allows for a customizable mix of chemotherapeutics to be delivered directly to the tumor site.
- Biodegradable and Non-Toxic: SELP polymers are safely broken down by the body, allowing for repeated treatments if necessary.
- Sustained Drug Release: The polymers provide a controlled release of therapeutics, maintaining effective drug concentrations over time.
Publications
Poursaid, A., Jensen, M.M., Nourbakhsh, I., Weisenberger, M., Hellgeth, J. W., Sampath, S., Ghandehari, H. (2016). Silk-Elastinlike protein polymer liquid chemoembolic for localized release of doxorubicin and sorafenib. Molecular Pharmaceutics. 13(8): 2736-2748. doi: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.6b00325
IP
Publication Number: US2016-0176949-A1
Patent Title: Silk-Elastin Like Protein Polymers For Embolization and Chemoembolization To Treat Cancer
Jurisdiction/Country: United States
Application Type: Non-Provisional
Contact Info
Aaron Duffy
(801) 585-1377
aaron.duffy@utah.edu
