UT-Austin researchers developed a method that uses ultrasound waves to deliver drugs to targeted areas of the body, according to a report released on Feb. 5.
The researchers partnered with UT-San Antonio and Ohio State University to develop this nanoparticle, which has the potential to bring non-invasive, targeted treatments to patients with cancer, neurological disorders and chronic pain, said Evan Wang, a biomedical engineering assistant professor at UT.
The nanoparticle has a three-dimensional structure connected with hydrogen bonds, said Evan Wang. The hydrogen bonds form open spaces, or pores similar to a sponge, in the nanoparticle, where the medicine is put.
Wenliang Wang, the postdoctoral researcher who conducted the experiment, said the researchers are working to then inject the nanoparticles into patients so that when ultrasound waves hit the hydrogen bonds, the bonds break and release medicine into the targeted area of the body. Evan Wang said his team used the ultrasound-activated nanoparticles to stimulate neurons in rats and mice, but they have not delivered it to humans yet.
“We also go into animals to trigger the (part of the brain with reward sensors),” Evan Wang said. “First, to demonstrate we can activate the neurons in the deep brain, and then to demonstrate we can change the animal behaviors in the deep brain.”
Evan Wang said nanoparticles containing medicine could be given to patients with cancer in the future. The particles would circulate through the body, and the ultrasound would be applied to the targeted treatment area. The waves would break apart the hydrogen bonds, releasing the medicine. This targeted approach could decrease the harmful side effects that cancer drugs have on healthy parts of the body, Evan Wang said. Usually, medicine is delivered to the patient and circulates their entire body instead of just the affected area.
“The idea is that many cancer drugs are toxic,” Evan Wang said. “When the nanoparticle travels to the cancer, we hit it with ultrasound so that it will just release a drug at the cancer site.”
Wenliang Wang said the next steps for the team include making the procedure truly non-invasive by administering the medicine through the veins. He said specific control and the ability to adjust the ultrasound will make a more targeted treatment.
“This is our purpose,” Wenliang Wang said, “To do some disease treatment, improve the target efficiency and also improve the treatment.”
