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Defining the right clinical problems for nanotechnology

Defining the right clinical problems for nanotechnology. Table 2 John S. Oghalai, MD. Potential Clinical Goals of Nanotechnology. 1. Nanotechnology to change the surface of implanted devices. Premise: on the nanoscale, adhesion properties of surfaces may be different

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Defining the right clinical problems for nanotechnology

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  1. Defining the right clinical problems for nanotechnology Table 2 John S. Oghalai, MD

  2. Potential Clinical Goals of Nanotechnology

  3. 1. Nanotechnology to change the surface of implanted devices • Premise: on the nanoscale, adhesion properties of surfaces may be different • To decrease biofilm formation of pathogenic organisms • To increase the ability of beneficial organisms to form biofilms • Examples: vascular stents, indwelling catheters, cochlear implants, pacemakers

  4. 2. Mechanical modulation of biologic components • Premise: carbon nanotubes are stiff and may cross-link collagen fibers • Examples • To stiffen the eardrum for the treatment of cholesteatoma or atelectasis • To stiffen the basilar membrane within the cochlea and alter the frequency sensitivity of hearing • To stiffen the skin in patients with chronic skin disorders and ulcerations • Tendon and/or bone strengthening

  5. 3. Topical Gene Therapy • Premise: carbon nanotubes can be used to transport exogenous DNA into a cell and could be applied locally with minimal risk • Examples of potential use for gene delivery: • To the cochlea for the treatment of hearing loss • To the eye for visual loss • To the skin • To blood vessels, via endovascular application

  6. 4. Neural Regeneration & Repair • Premise: Nanotubes conduct electricity and can be fabricated in parallel matrices • Examples: • To repair the facial nerve after planned surgical sacrifice • To repair the spinal cord after traumatic injury • To repair or restore function in long nerves to extremities in diabetics or other patients with peripheral nerve disease

  7. 5. Drug delivery • Premise: Nanotubes can transport drugs • Examples: • Deliver alpha radiation to cancer micrometastases • Deliver compounds to areas of vascular stenosis or occlusion (heart, brain, etc.) • Deliver growth factors to chronic wounds • Deliver substances across the blood-brain and blood-perilymph (inner ear) barriers • Delivery of anti-HIV therapies to T-cells

  8. 6. Imaging • Premise: Nanotubes can carry contrast agents • Examples: • Transportation of gadolinium to improve MRI sensitivity

  9. Barriers to developments in these areas

  10. Technical barriers • Toxicities of nanomaterials are unknown • How to best target the nanomaterials so that systemic administration can be used • How to uncage the drug so it gets out at the desired location • Is there a way to “re-cage” the drug when it is no longer desired • How are nanoparticles removed from the body • Mathematical modeling of nanostructures is in its infancy

  11. Other barriers • Identifying potential collaborators between institutions, departments, and backgrounds • Obtaining seed grant funds to start novel projects • Obtaining large amounts of funding to be able tp translate successful results from animal studies into clinical phase 1 trials.

  12. Opportunities for the Texas Medical Center

  13. Action Items • Make the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) the hub for nanomedicine interactions • Weekly or bi-weekly seminar series dedicated to nanotechnology research • Increase number of Rice graduate students and post-docs working in collaborations with biological labs within the Texas Medical Center

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