Successful Development of Nanotech Anti-cancer Agent That Targets Cancer Stem Cells 〜Confirmation of Success With Intractable Cancer (Malignant Mesothelioma) Caused by Asbestos Exposure〜

There has not been the establishment of an effective standardized treatment for malignant pleural mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure, so there is hope for the development of a new cancer treatment.

Through the development of a nanomedicine that can distribute drugs within cancer cells, and selectively have them accumulate in malignant pleural mesothelioma tissue, it was possible to heal a mouse suffering from malignant mesothelioma using intravenous administration, and destroying both differentiated and undifferentiated cancer cells with a high degree of malignancy.

By enclosing staurosporine - which is effective on cancer stem cells - in pH-sensitive epirubicin micelles, the new nanomedicine can avoid the side effects of staurosporine and inactivation within the body, and moreover by increasing tumor clustering, it is possible to effectively destroy cancer stem cells.

The results of this research were published in American Chemical Society nanotechnology-specific publication "ACS Nano" on Apr. 19 (Tues.).
The research is supported by the "Center of Innovation (COI) Program," which is a Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)-funded project.
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【The press conference held on Apr. 18】