“Revolutionary RNA Nanoparticles: A Dual-Action Weapon Against Prostate Cancer!”

Yang Zhang, PhD, alongside Jinjun Shi, PhD, both affiliated with the Center for Nanomedicine and the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, serve as co-senior authors on a publication in ACS Nanoscience Au titled, “Lipid Nanoparticle Delivery of mRNA and siRNA for Concurrent Restoration of Tumor Suppressor and Inhibition of Tumorigenic Driver in Prostate Cancer.”

How would you describe your research for a general audience?

Cancer typically arises when there is a disruption in cellular growth and suppression, leading to rapid cell proliferation and tumor formation within the body. For instance, advanced prostate cancer (PCa) is frequently associated with alterations in the function of a tumor suppressor known as phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN), along with a well-researched pro-cancer transcription factor termed androgen receptor (AR). Nonetheless, current treatments do not exist that address tumor expansion and simultaneously restore tumor suppression for individuals diagnosed with PCa.

By employing an innovative RNA-based strategy, we aimed to re-establish this equilibrium in cancer therapies for PCa patients. This method exhibited success in preclinical models, showcasing potential for curbing tumor expansion in patients.

What inquiry were you pursuing?

We proposed that applying mRNA and siRNA at the same time could reinstate tumor suppressors and hinder growth drivers, such as PTEN and AR, respectively, in PCa individuals.

What techniques did you implement?

We utilized lipid nanoparticles to transport mRNA and siRNA into human PCa cells to examine the capacity of our approach to both revive the absent PTEN and silence the overactive AR.

What were your findings?

We observed a significant, synergistic anti-tumor effect when the mRNA and siRNA nanoparticles were administered to the PCa cells.

What do your findings signify?

This strategy may be applicable to other growth drivers and tumor suppressors in prostate cancer and various cancer types like breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. By judiciously selecting specific pathways targeting tumor growth and suppression, this method has the potential to develop more effective treatments for numerous cancer scenarios.

What are the forthcoming steps?

We plan to broaden this strategy to evaluate its efficacy in additional cancer types. Additionally, we intend to delve deeper into the biological mechanisms behind the combined effects we noted, which may unveil new, powerful therapeutic targets for PCa.