A team of researchers from the fields of nanotechnology and dermatology has used commercial moisturizers based on a nanostructure platform to provide gene regulation technology, which shows promise in developing life-saving therapies to treat skin cancers.
The nanostructure platform was developed at Northwestern in 1996 by Chad Mirkin, one of the researchers of the study. In this study, the researchers for the first time demonstrated that the nanostructure platform is capable of intrinsically entering into the skin and delivering huge payload of drugs.
The nanostructure’s nucleic acid density and spherical shape have played a key role in this demonstration. These spherical nucleic acids are capable of entering into the cells. Small interfering RNA encircles a gold nanoparticle and the highly oriented, densely packed nucleic acids create a small sphere. The sequence of RNA is programmed so as to target genes that cause diseases.
During the study, the researchers developed the nanostructures at Mirkin’s lab and then merged with a commercial moisturizer. They then applied the therapeutic ointment to human epidermis and to the skin of mice at the Chicago lab of Amy S. Paller, one of the researchers. The nanostructures were programmed to target a cancer biomarker called epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The drug was able to enter the epidermal layer and traversed the skin to reach the cells, which took up 100% of the nanostructures. This resulted in reduced problematic protein production due to the knock down of the EGFR gene by the nanostructures.
No side effects, particle accumulation in organs and improper activation of the immune system were observed even after continuous application of the ointment for a month. The therapy targets only the skin and does not affect other cells. Mirkin informed that this study is a significant progress in the gene regulation field.
The novel treatment’s early targets include epidermolytic ichthyosis, diabetic wound healing, psoriasis, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. The therapy finds use in treating wrinkles on skin.
Source: http://www.northwestern.edu