Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a groundbreaking platform for delivering two cancer-fighting drugs simultaneously, significantly enhancing treatment effectiveness while minimizing side effects, as detailed in a study published in Science Advances on December 23, 2024.

The innovative platform utilizes biodegradable nanoparticles loaded with FDA-approved drug pairs: BRAF and MEK inhibitors for melanoma, and PARP and PD-L1 inhibitors for BRCA-mutated breast cancer.

Experimental results demonstrated that the dual-drug delivery method significantly outperformed traditional separate drug administration, using doses 30 times lower than previous studies and resulting in a 2.5-fold improvement in time to progression and a twofold increase in median survival for treated mice.

Mice treated with the nanoparticles demonstrated remarkable longevity, living twice as long as those receiving free drugs and three times longer than untreated mice.

These nanoparticles are engineered to target cancer cells by attaching to sulfate groups that specifically bind to P-selectin, a protein found in high levels on cancer cells and their associated blood vessels.

This new method addresses the common issue in cancer therapies where drugs fail to reach tumors simultaneously due to differing chemical properties, which can diminish their combined effectiveness.

In controlled studies, untreated mice exhibited survival rates three times lower than those treated with the nanoparticles, underscoring the method's effectiveness.

The platform was rigorously tested on 3D cancer cell models and animal models simulating primary melanoma and breast cancer tumors, showing targeted accumulation in primary tumors without harming healthy tissues.

Notably, the nanoparticles successfully crossed the blood-brain barrier, allowing for effective treatment of brain metastases while sparing healthy brain tissue.

This versatile nanoparticle technology is adaptable for various drug pairs and cancers, with potential applications for other tumors expressing P-selectin, such as pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma.

Prof. Ronit Satchi-Fainaro, who led the study alongside doctoral student Shani Koshrovski-Michael, emphasized that the technology enhances the effects of multiple drugs, improving cancer treatment outcomes.

The study, which included contributions from researchers across Israel, Italy, Portugal, and the Netherlands, was published in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances.