Advancements in Oral Cancer Therapy: mRNA Lipid Nanoparticles

USA: Researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking study aimed at developing a Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) platform for treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) utilizing p53 mRNA. 

This significant advancement was presented at the 102nd General Session of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and the 48th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research.

Research Overview and Methodology

The study, led by Marshall Scott Padilla of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA, focused on formulating a library of LNPs with luciferase mRNA, which was then tested in CAL-27 cells, a model OSCC line. These LNPs were further evaluated through intravenous injection into C57BL/6 mice to assess their propensity for off-target liver transfection. LNPs demonstrating high luminescence in CAL-27 cells and low liver transfection advanced to subsequent screening rounds.

Oral Cancer Screening Tool Using Brush

Following two rounds of screening, the LNP E10i-494 exhibited remarkable mRNA transfection in vitro and in two murine tumor models, while maintaining a favorable safety profile with low levels of liver transfection. 

Notably, in the orthotopic model, E10i-494 successfully entered and transfected lymph nodes, crucial for preventing tumor metastasis. Moreover, when reformulated with p53 mRNA, E10i-494 demonstrated potent cell killing, indicating its potential efficacy in OSCC therapy.

The study marks a significant milestone in oral cancer therapy, as it presents the optimization of the first LNP for the oral cavity and demonstrates its potential for p53-based OSCC therapy. These findings hold promise for the development of next-generation treatments for oral cancer, addressing critical challenges in current therapeutic approaches.

About IADR and AADOCR

The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) and the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing dental, oral, and craniofacial research for global health and well-being. Representing scientists, dental professionals, and students from diverse institutions, these associations play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and driving innovation in oral healthcare.

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