Chemotherapeutic drug loaded mesenchymal stem cells for targeted therapy in childhood cancer neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumour of childhood, but has the poorest survival rates. Those diagnosed over 1 year of age have a less favourable outlook and often fail to respond even to the most aggressive combinations of therapy. So alternative treatments are needed. The goal of cancer chemotherapy is targeting tumour cells, with the minimal systematic toxicity to normal tissues. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising vehicles for delivering effective, targeted therapy, to the original tumour mass and metastatic disease that has spread to other parts of body, because their cells can home to tumour tissues. We have already shown that MSCs are able to uptake and subsequently release the chemotherapeutic drugs and inhibit the growth of lung cancer. We have also MSCs as a “Trojan horse” to deliver drugs in stroke. We aim to extend this cell therapy approach to childhood cancer neuroblastoma, which might prove a more effective, targeted treatment for neuroblastoma and limit toxicity to normal tissues i.e treatment side effects. This study will show how well the new treatment works, in different types pf neuroblastoma and limit toxicity to normal tissues i.e. treatment side effects.  This study will show how well the new treatment works, in different types of neuroblastoma, and also ascertain whether proposed approach.

Grant Award – Kidscan PhD Studentship (2017 – 2020)

Funding Award – £36,000.00

Funding Awarded to – Professor Mark Slevin

Research Location – Manchester Metropolitan University

Lead Researcher – Professor Mark Slevin