Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2025

Therapeutic Gene Delivery and Transfection in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells using Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-targeted Gelatin Nanoparticles
08:35

Therapeutic Gene Delivery and Transfection in Human Pancreatic Cancer Cells using Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-targeted Gelatin Nanoparticles

Published on: January 4, 2012

28.3K

Dual targeted extracellular vesicles regulate oncogenic genes in advanced pancreatic cancer

Chi-Ling Chiang1,2, Yifan Ma1,3, Ya-Chin Hou4,5

  • 1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.

Nature Communications
|October 23, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Dual targeted extracellular vesicles (dtEVs) effectively deliver therapeutic RNA to suppress pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumors. This novel drug delivery system shows promise for treating large solid tumors and improving patient survival.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Biotechnology
  • Nanomedicine

Background:

  • Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) presents a significant clinical challenge due to multiple gene mutations and poor treatment response.
  • Existing drug delivery systems struggle to effectively target and treat large solid tumor burdens characteristic of PDAC.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and evaluate a novel dual-targeted extracellular vesicle (dtEV) system for delivering multiple gene cargoes to PDAC tumors.
  • To assess the efficacy of dtEVs in suppressing large PDAC tumors and metastasis in preclinical models.

Main Methods:

  • Engineered extracellular vesicles (EVs) with CD64 protein, tissue targeting peptide, and a humanized monoclonal antibody on their surface.
  • Transwell®-based asymmetric cell electroporation for high RNA loading and efficient EV production.
  • Combination therapy using dtEVs and low-dose Gemcitabine in orthotopic PANC-1 and patient-derived xenograft mouse models.

Main Results:

  • Successfully produced abundant targeted EVs with high therapeutic RNA loads.
  • Demonstrated significant suppression of large orthotopic PDAC tumors and metastasis in mice.
  • Observed extended animal survival when treated with dtEVs and Gemcitabine.

Conclusions:

  • Dual targeted extracellular vesicles offer a clinically accessible and scalable platform for delivering multiple gene therapies to solid tumors.
  • This approach shows significant potential for overcoming treatment resistance in pancreatic cancer.

More Related Videos

In Vivo Immunogenicity Screening of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by Flow Cytometry of Splenic T Cells08:02

In Vivo Immunogenicity Screening of Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles by Flow Cytometry of Splenic T Cells

Published on: September 23, 2021

2.6K
A Preclinical Mouse Model of Osteosarcoma to Define the Extracellular Vesicle-mediated Communication Between Tumor and Mesenchymal Stem Cells11:15

A Preclinical Mouse Model of Osteosarcoma to Define the Extracellular Vesicle-mediated Communication Between Tumor and Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Published on: May 6, 2018

10.3K

Related Concept Videos

Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
7.7K
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that  degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However,...
2.3K
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression03:03

mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression

The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
3.8K
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells02:53

Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells

Cancer cells accumulate genetic changes at an abnormally rapid rate due to the defects in the DNA repair mechanisms. From an evolutionary perspective, such genetic instability is advantageous for cancer development. Mutant cell lines accumulate a series of beneficial mutations that contribute to their progression into cancer.
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
5.8K