Targeted Drug Delivery to Treat Lung Cancer

Description

Inhalation of drug delivered to the lungs is typically not well-targeted. The aerosol particles often deposit on the walls of airways located in regions other than the desired regions. This reduces efficacy, wastes drug, and increases side effects to non-targeted areas.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have invented a drug delivery system which enhances delivery of an aerosol drug to targeted regions of the lung. It combines elongated drug particles loaded with magnetite nanoparticles with an orienting magnetic field which aligns the particles. Experiments have shown that the invention is able to improve deposition in small bifurcating airway replicas and so would be useful in targeting drugs to specific regions within the lung, especially for treating lung cancer. More information is available in the journal publications Aerosol Science and Technology, 42:295-298, 2008 and Journal of Aerosol Science, doi: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2008.04.003, 2008 (in press, now available online).

Advantages

Increases deposition of drug to targeted lung sites to increase efficacy
Decreases deposition of drug to other sites to reduce side effects
Only weak, aligning magnetic fields are needed (no need for strong magnetic field gradients)
Reduces wastage of drug

Potential Markets

The invention presents a valuable opportunity to greatly enhance drug treatment for lung infections and lung tumours. The invention could be easily applied by MRI manufacturers to target specific lung regions identified previously in MRI scans.

Protection Status

Patent pending

Product Number

2006-086

Contact Information

Jayant Kumar
780.492.9806
jayant.kumar@tecedmonton.com

DISCLAIMER:

Although care has been taken in the preparation of this material to be as accurate as possible, the contents of this document are provided for information purposes only, and neither the University of Alberta nor the inventors offer any warranty, written or implied, as to the accuracy of the said contents.