Colorectal cancer (CRC) is postulated to arise via multiple independent pathways that include mutations and alterations in numerous oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes (e.g., APC gene inactivation, K-ras oncogene activation, and p53 mutation). Despite such diversity of origin, most CRCs follow a similar morphological route - evolving from normal mucosa, to adenoma, to highly-dysplastic adenoma, to carcinoma. Of particular note is the observation that the most frequently found early neoplasms during routine CRC screenings of people >50 years of age are adenomatous polyps. While the overwhelming majority of these polyps are not malignant, significant and sustained reductions in the incidence of CRC and the frequency of advanced neoplastic polyps have been reported following their resection, suggesting that >95% of all CRC cases in the Western Hemisphere arise from the malignancy transformation (M-T) of adenomatous polyps.[1-4] To reduce the incidence of CRC, early methods of detection/monitoring and prevention/eradication of colorectal adenomatous polyps and their precursors are needed, prior to polyp M-T. Unfortunately the most effective drugs at inhibiting adenomatous polyp formation/growth - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - are poorly targeted and limited by dose-dependent adverse GI/cardiac/hepatic sequelae. To overcome these deficiencies in current drug therapy and enable minimally invasive M-T staging of polyp/neoplastic disease in situ, we will synthesize and tri-functionalize biocompatible MCM-41 mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for the targeted, endoscopically-traceable, delivery of conventional NSAIDs. We will then employ both human CRC cell lines and murine models of colorectal polyposis/cancer to evaluate our tri-functionalized MSN's targeting specificity, uptake, toxicity, drug releasing dynamics, therapeutic efficacy, and platform excretion via in vitro/vivo fluorescence imaging/endoscopy and ex vivo histopathological analyses of harvested tissues. In particular we will characterize the utility of fluorescent MSNs whose interiors are tiled with pH-triggered releasable NSAIDs (sulindac sulfide, celecoxib, or acetylsalicylic acid) and whose exteriors are covered with lectins/aptamers/peptides that target M-T stage-dependent, aberrant polyp glycan/glycoprotein expression (mucins MUC1 and MUC15, mucin-like tumor-associated glycoprotein TAG-72, and mucin surface glycan ?-L-fucose). We will investigate the utility of concurrent fluorescence intensity and lifetime imaging/endoscopy of these nanoplatforms in the assessment of polyp M-T staging and therapeutic response, as well as the use of F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) - between drug and delivery platform - in the characterization of drug releasing dynamics, both in vitro and in vivo. We postulate that functionalization of these nanoplatforms for oral administration and polyp-targeted delivery of NSAIDs will provide a means for the prevention, detection, staging, and non-surgical eradication of adenomatous polyps prior to their M-T.

Public Health Relevance

To reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer, early in situ methods of detection/monitoring and prevention/eradication of colorectal adenomatous polyps and their precursors are urgently needed, prior to polyp malignancy transformation (M-T). Unfortunately the most effective drugs at inhibiting adenomatous polyp formation and growth - nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - are poorly targeted and limited by dose-dependent adverse GI/cardiac/hepatic sequelae. In this work we develop and evaluate novel, orally administered, polyp-targeting nanoplatforms that serve both as contrast agents and traceable drug delivery platforms, to provide a means for the prevention, detection, staging, and non-surgical eradication of adenomatous polyps prior to their M-T.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01CA171785-01A1
Application #
8447326
Study Section
Developmental Therapeutics Study Section (DT)
Program Officer
Tandon, Pushpa
Project Start
2013-03-06
Project End
2018-02-28
Budget Start
2013-03-06
Budget End
2014-02-28
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$327,850
Indirect Cost
$120,350
Name
University of Chicago
Department
Radiation-Diagnostic/Oncology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005421136
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60637
Quigley, Bryan P; Smith, Corey D; Cheng, Shih-Hsun et al. (2017) Sensitivity evaluation and selective plane imaging geometry for x-ray-induced luminescence imaging. Med Phys 44:5367-5377
Tsai, H-M; Souris, J S; Kim, H-J et al. (2017) Note: Rapid measurement of fluorescence lifetimes using SiPM detection and waveform sampling. Rev Sci Instrum 88:096107
Chen, Nai-Tzu; Souris, Jeffrey S; Cheng, Shih-Hsun et al. (2017) Lectin-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles for endoscopic detection of premalignant colonic lesions. Nanomedicine 13:1941-1952
Souris, Jeffrey S; Cheng, Shih-Hsun; Pelizzari, Charles et al. (2014) Radioluminescence characterization of in situ x-ray nanodosimeters: Potential real-time monitors and modulators of external beam radiation therapy. Appl Phys Lett 105:203110