Sugar-coated nanoparticles treat glioblastoma in mice

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed sugar-coated lipid nanoparticles that deliver mRNA encoding the tumor-suppressor PTEN across the blood-brain barrier to treat glioblastoma in a mouse model. The nanoparticles are coated with mannose, which binds to GLUT1 transporters overexpressed on brain endothelial cells and glioblastoma cells. In treated mice, median survival increased by 50% and tumor burden dropped from 52% to 2.3% after 28 days, with no measurable organ toxicity. The study was published in the Journal of Controlled Release and funded by the United States — National Cancer Institute, United States — National Institutes of Health, United States — Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and India — Anusandhan National Research Foundation. The approach is preclinical and requires further testing before human trials.