Overview
- In peer-reviewed results published Oct. 29 in ACS Nano, the 5-fluorouracil SNA boosted cell entry 12.5-fold, increased leukemia cell killing by up to 20,000-fold, and slowed disease progression 59-fold in mice without detectable side effects.
- The SNA architecture embeds the chemotherapy into a dense DNA shell that improves solubility and drives rapid uptake by overexpressed scavenger receptors on myeloid cells.
- In mouse models of acute myeloid leukemia, the treatment nearly cleared leukemia cells from blood and spleen and significantly extended survival.
- The researchers plan larger small-animal studies followed by tests in larger animals and ultimately aim for human trials, which are not yet underway and depend on additional funding.
- Northwestern notes several other SNA-based medicines are already in clinical testing, while media suggestions that this reformulated drug could reach patients next year are speculative.