Diseases
The Max-Planck-Institute for Polymer Research (MPI-P) and the University Medicine of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz work together within the Collaborative Research Center 1066 “Nanodimensional polymer therapeutics for tumor therapy” to bring drug delivery systems for two relevant diseases into the clinic: malignant melanoma as a still life-threatening disease for many patients and liver metastatic diseases.
Malignant melanoma has been known for decades to be a tumor entity that can even be cured by the patient’s own immune system in rare cases. With the advent of targeted therapies and immune-modulatory therapeutic strategies, survival and cure rate have been progressing enormously. The use of so-called checkpoint inhibitors “releases the brake” on the immune system in an unspecific way. By using nanocarriers, we contribute to boosting the immune system towards a melanoma specific tumor response. We thereby expand the possibilities by using nanocarriers for specific and active vaccination against melanoma and potentially many other tumors.
In general, upon intravenous administration still most nanocarriers end up in the liver. Therefore, we address the immunological attack on liver metastasis of melanomas in cooperation with the group of Prof. S. Gehring and PD Dr. M.Bros of the University Medicine, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz.
These projects bridge the gap between medical need and excellent basic science. Besides understanding the basic hurdles e.g. by the nanocarrier-protein interaction we aim here to use pharmaceutical grade ingredients in a standard operating procedure also implying the use of closed systems such that injectable drug delivery systems can be obtained.
