Development of rectal drug targeted delivery system for colorectal cancer therapy

Collaborative Research Program 2024-2026

Cdc42 is one of the key proteins involved in colorectal cancer development. Therefore, Cdc42 is an attractive therapeutic target for CRC therapy. A number of studies demonstrated the beneficial effects of Cdc42 inhibition on CRC cells using small molecule CASIN. However, CASIN has several limitations in systemic administration such as side effects, rapid elimination of drugs, and low bioavailability. To solve the abovementioned limitations, developing a rectal and targeted administration of an inhibitor based on nanoscale drug carriers is necessary. In this project, we propose to develop a rectal system based on aptamer conjugated PEG-PLGA nanoparticles loaded with a Cdc42 inhibitor, which can effectively pass through the mucus and deliver the drug to the cells, as a temperature-sensitive gel. It will facilitate the effective distribution and retention of nanoparticles in the intestine.