Overview

• University of Arizona researchers report in Nature Cancer a paclitaxel–sphingomyelin conjugate that self-assembles into a nanovesicle called Paclitaxome.
• Across triple-negative breast and advanced pancreatic cancer mouse models, Paclitaxome outperformed Taxol and Abraxane on delivery and antitumor activity.
• The engineered CD47p/AZE–Paclitaxome variant showed deeper tumor penetration, improved pharmacokinetics, reduced toxicity, and extended survival in mice.
• The platform strengthened combination regimens by co-loading gemcitabine or carboplatin, suppressing pancreatic tumor growth and preventing post-surgical breast cancer relapse and metastases in mice.
• Authors say the results remain preclinical as they gather additional data toward planned first-in-human trials, and the work received NIH funding including NIGMS and NCI grants.