Tumor-targeted Polymersomes to image and Treat Ovarian Cancer

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States and the 5-year survival rate is less than 50%. If ovarian cancer is found early, the 5-year survival rate is improved to >90%. Unfortunately, ovarian tumor early detection and treatment is currently being severely hampered by an inability to precisely diagnose and stage disease. Thus far, only 13-21% of the women that undergo surgery to remove adnexal masses actually have ovarian cancer. In patients where tumors are found, up to 90% of patients with apparent stage I or II ovarian cancer do not have optimal surgical staging, and approximately 30% are understaged. These statistics underscore the need to develop more effective strategies for early detection and staging. The overall goal of this proposal is to develop tumor-targeted multifunctional polymersomes for greater accuracy and effectiveness in ovarian cancer early detection, staging, and treatment. In attempt to achieve this goal, a highly sensitive magnetic resonance (MR) imaging probe will be prepared from biodegradable porous polymersomes with encapsulated gadolinium (Gd)-labeled dendrimers. A recombinant antibody (scFv) of human origin that is directed against mesothelin will be conjugated to the polymersome surface to confer specificity for malignant ovarian lesions. Mesothelin is a non-essential protein that is over-expressed by cancer cells from diverse origins, including ovarian and pancreatic adenocarcinomas and mesotheliomas. The hydrophobic anticancer drug paclitaxel will be loaded into the hydrophobic membrane and imaging will be used to accurately assess and monitor dosing. It is envisioned that the use of these multifunctional devices will offer the promise of improved tumor early detection and antitumor efficacy, while reducing drug toxicity, and/or dose. Upon the successful completion of this project, we expect to have a safe and effective nanoplatform available for further clinical evaluation. The specific aims for this proposal are (1) synthesize Gd-encapsulated, drug- loaded theranostic polymersomes; (2) characterize targeting, uptake and in vitro cytotoxicity of anti-mesothelin- scFV conjugated polymersomes in ovarian cancer cells; and (3) evaluate the contrast enhancement, circulation time, biodistribution, retention and antitumor efficacy of the various polymersomes in ovarian tumor xenografts.