From left: Ashish Kulkarni (Chemical Engineering), Hung-Hsun Lu (Chemistry), Mehak Malhotra (Chemical Engineering), Jithu Krishna (Chemistry), and S. Thayumanavan (Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering)
The challenge of multidrug resistance in cancer treatment is akin to an arms race: as medical science advances, so too do the defenses of cancer cells. These cells often develop the ability to eject therapeutic drugs, rendering treatments ineffective and leading to relapse – a terrible blow to the morale of patients and their families.
In this research project, however, a multi-disciplinary team is charting a new path forward. They are engineering nanoscopic particles that can target cancer cells directly, bypassing their defenses and reinstating the effectiveness of traditional treatments like chemotherapy.
This cutting-edge research involves creating what can be described as molecular "keys" - tiny, engineered particles capable of binding to cancer cells and disabling their drug resistance mechanisms. By doing so, they enable chemotherapy drugs to remain inside the cells and exert their intended effects, offering new hope for cases previously deemed untreatable.
This initiative is not only a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration but also underscores a commitment to social justice in healthcare. By developing treatments that can overcome drug resistance, the project aims to rejuvenate and enhance the efficacy of traditional cancer therapies that are established and common, but that cancer cells may have adapted to. In doing so, the team hopes to ensure that treatment is available to all segments of society, rather than only those who can afford the most cutting-edge options.
Indeed, research has even shown that certain ethnic groups – particularly those of African descent – are more likely to contain genes that make cancers drug-resistant. Already at heightened risk for cancer and other illnesses due to environmental factors and inequities, these resource-limited populations are then burdened further by drug-resistant cancers.
Moreover, the project is a testament to multi-disciplinary innovation, leveraging insights from chemistry, engineering, and biology to tackle one of the most pressing challenges in oncology. It exemplifies how cutting-edge STEM research, driven by a mission to help people, can create transformative solutions to social and public health issues.