Improved Therapeutic Efficiency of Senescent Cell‐specific, Galactose‐Functionalized Micelle Nanocarriers
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Cellular senescence has recently been recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer, aging, as well as many age-related disorders, sparking significant interest in the development of senolytics, compounds that can remove senescent cells. However, most current pharmacological strategies face challenges related to non-specific delivery, leading to significant side effects that hinder safe and effective treatments. To address these issues, galactose-functionalized amphiphiles are synthesized that can self-assemble into micelles and be loaded with a senolytic cargo. These galactose-micelles are responsive to the lysosomal β-galactosidase enzyme, present in elevated amounts in senescent cells, and are employed for specific delivery of the senolytic Bcl2-inhibitor Navitoclax. This novel formulation showed reduced delivery and toxicity to non-senescent cells, thereby increasing the senolytic index of Navitoclax and making it suitable for future in vivo experimental designs to improve selectivity and safety profiles.
Source: Small
Authors: Badri Parshad, Andrew George Baker, Ishtiaq Ahmed, Alejandra Estepa‐Fernández, Daniel Muñoz‐Espín, Ljiljana Fruk
Institution: University of Cambridge
Language: English
Subfield: Biomaterials
Field: Materials Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,510
OpenAlex ID: W4405599363