AIBN Seminar Series 2022 - HDR

Abstract

Nanofluidic Device for Point of Care Radiopharmaceutical Synthesis

There is a growing interest in the development and application of new radiopharmaceuticals for difficult to treat cancers. The favourable results from the recent Phase III clinical trials for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and  [177Lu]Lu-DOTATATE for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumours have added to this interest. However, the production of radiopharmaceuticals requires complex and costly infrastructure along with skilled technical support. This potentially inhibits more widespread adoption outside of well-established manufacturing and distribution networks. Herein we describe a self-contained miniaturised microfluidic device with the capability of rapid, portable and cost-effective production of radiopharmaceuticals. As a model system, we demonstrate using microfluidic systems the possibility to reduce both the time and temperatures necessary for the radiolabeling of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617.

Targeted delivery of immune-boosting peptides using polymeric nanoparticles to manage lung cancer

Lung cancer is one of four leading cancers causing a high death rate globally. Approximately 85% of lung cancers are non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs), and the average 5-year survival is 15-20%. The dominant factors contributing to the high death rate for NSCLCs are: 1) Advanced stage diagnosis with metastatic disease for most patients, 2) Heterogenicity and low antigenicity of NSCLCs. Thus, novel therapeutic options for long-term treatment of NSCLCs are necessary for patients who have poor prognosis and immune-therapeutic outcomes. InterK Peptide Therapeutics have developed peptides with immune-boosting functions, re-invigorating exhausted T cells and potentially serving as a novel therapeutic agent against human lung cancer. The ability to produce a site-specific response will be the major hurdle to translate these therapeutic peptides for clinical use. Rapid growth in nanotechnology provides an opportunity to improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behaviour of drugs due to their physical and chemical characteristics. Thus, nanocarriers are the ideal platform for the targeted delivery of InterK peptide and increasing their concentration at the tumour site. This project investigates the targeted delivery of InterK’s novel immune-boosting peptides to the tumour microenvironment utilising nanomedicines, and evaluating pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and tumour suppression properties of the peptides.