Nasal nanomedicine clears deadly brain tumours in mice ^{CEFR B1}

Scientists report a noninvasive nanomedicine that eliminated deadly brain tumours in mice. The work addresses a key problem in glioblastoma treatment: medicines rarely reach tumours at effective levels. The findings appear in PNAS.

The approach uses spherical nucleic acids, structures made by arranging short DNA strands densely around a nanoparticle core. Chad A. Mirkin, who invented spherical nucleic acids, worked with a team led by Alexander H. Stegh at Washington University in St. Louis Medicine and Siteman Cancer Center. Akanksha Mahajan is first author on the study.

The researchers made particles with gold cores and DNA designed to activate STING (stimulator of interferon genes). They delivered droplets into the nasal passages and used a near-infrared molecular tag to track the nanomedicine along the main nerve that connects facial muscles to the brain. The therapy concentrated in immune cells near and in the tumour and triggered helpful responses in lymph nodes. Given with drugs that boost T lymphocytes, one or two doses eradicated tumours and produced long-term immunity, outperforming STING drugs that need direct tumour injection.