Researchers at Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine are developing a novel antibody therapy to treat bone metastases in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer, backed by a $2.3 million grant from the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs.
Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women with ER+ subtypes accounting for about 70% of cases. While advances in therapy have improved survival rates, many patients face the daunting challenge of metastasis, particularly in bones, where current treatments often fall short. The researchers’ collaborative approach could change that, leveraging Rice’s innovative NanoGel technology designed to deliver antibodies directly to the acidic environment of bone metastases and Baylor’s expertise in breast cancer biology. By targeting E-cadherin proteins that drive tumor growth in bone, the research team aims to revolutionize treatment for a condition that affects up to 40% of ER+ breast cancer survivors.
At the center of the effort is NanoGel, an innovative drug delivery system designed by Han Xiao, director of the Synthesis X (SynthX) Center and a Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas Scholar. This nanoparticle technology wraps antibodies in a protective layer, allowing them to circulate safely through the body until they reach bone tumors. Once there, the acidic environment triggers the NanoGel to release its therapeutic payload, targeting the cancer cells without harming healthy tissue.
“The platform’s key advantage lies in its ability to encapsulate the antibody within the NanoGel during circulation and ensure its controlled release in the bone metastatic niche, which benefits from a lower pH for optimal delivery,” said Xiao, who is also the Norman Hackerman-Welch Young Investigator and associate professor of chemistry at Rice. “This strategy also holds potential for application with other therapeutic antibodies, including those used in immunotherapies.”
While antibody therapies have shown promise in other types of cancer, they have been less effective for bone metastases, said Xiang Zhang, director of the Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center and professor of molecular and cellular biology at Baylor.
“Antibody-based therapies are a promising approach for treating breast cancer that has metastasized, but this approach has not worked as well for cancer that spreads to the bones,” Zhang said. “More effective treatments are needed for bone metastases.”
The collaboration represents a strategic partnership between Rice’s SynthX Center and Baylor’s Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, combining cutting-edge chemistry, molecular biology and materials science to develop transformative therapies that can save lives.
“Collaboration is at the core of this project,” Xiao said. “By combining our unique areas of expertise, we’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer treatment.”
Initial phases of the research will involve testing the NanoGel system in mouse models to evaluate its ability to locate and bind to bone tumors. Researchers will also monitor its effectiveness in suppressing tumor progression and preventing the spread of micrometastases.
Success in these early trials could pave the way for human clinical studies with the potential to dramatically improve outcomes for patients with metastatic breast cancer.
This study was supported by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency J9, Research and Development Directorate and the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity for $2.3 million through the Breast Cancer Research Program.