PAMAM nanoparticle for chemotherapy delivery to reduce metastasis and cognitive impairment

This technology is a nanoparticle delivery system functionalized with cationic polymers that delivers chemotherapeutics and scavenges cell-free nucleic acids to reduce inflammation, metastasis, and cognitive impairment.

Unmet Need: Chemotherapy-induced metastasis and persistent cognitive impairment

Chemotherapeutic drugs such as paclitaxel and doxorubicin treat primary breast tumors but can trigger the release of cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs) from damaged cells. These cfNAs drive chronic inflammation, contributing to tumor metastasis and long-term cognitive impairment following treatment. As a result, patients may experience persistent neurological side effects despite initial therapeutic success.

The Technology: PAMAM nanoparticles designed to simultaneously treat primary tumors and prevent chemotherapy-induced metastasis and cognitive impairment

This technology is a nanoparticle delivery system made of cholesterol-modified cationic polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers that bind and scavenge cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs). These polymeric materials self-assemble into size-controlled nanoparticles that deliver chemotherapeutics while simultaneously neutralizing cfNAs. By reducing cfNA-driven systemic inflammation, this approach limits chemotherapy-associated metastasis and cognitive impairment while maintaining anti-tumor efficacy.

This technology has been validated for both antitumor efficacy and for treating cognitive impairment in an NSG mouse model and Balb/c mouse model, respectively.

Applications:

Chemotherapeutic to inhibit early-stage and metastatic tumors
Alleviates chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment
Scavenges inflammatory cell-free nucleic acids
Drug delivery platform for inflammatory diseases
Research model for drug delivery

Advantages:

Simultaneously treats cancer and harmful side effects of systemic inflammation
Inhibits chemotherapy-induced metastasis
Prevents long-term cognitive impairment
Flexible platform for other inflammatory diseases

Lead Inventor:

Kam W. Leong, Ph.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending (WO/2025/0090489)

Related Publications:

Li T, Akinade T, Zhou J, Wang H, Tong Q, He S, Rinebold E, Valencia Salazar LE, Bhansali D, Zhong Y, Ruan J, Du J, Dalerba P, Leong KW. “Therapeutic Nanocarriers Inhibit Chemotherapy-Induced Breast Cancer Metastasis.” Adv Sci. 2022 Nov;9(33):e2203949.

Tech Ventures Reference:

IR CU22225, CU19240, CU22070
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu