Modifying the physical characteristics of microscopic biomaterials to interact seamlessly with the body’s tissues could unlock safer and more effective cancer treatments, according to Virginia Tech researchers at theĀ Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC.
In an online review slated for the Feb. 10 issue of theĀ Journal of Controlled Release, a research team led by DaeYong Lee, an assistant professor with the institute’s Cancer Research Center in Roanoke, highlighted how slight changes in therapeutic nanoparticles and biomaterials may one day improve treatment outcomes for patients.Ā
The review article describes an underexplored area of cancer therapy: the role of physical properties, such as size, shape, and stiffness, in tuning the body’s immune responses.
Modifying the physical characteristics of biomaterials is proving to be a powerful tool in controlling immune cell behavior. This approach allows us to precisely target and activate innate immune cells, such as macrophages and natural killer cells, which play a critical role in the fight against cancer.”
DaeYong Lee, member of the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics of the Virginia Tech College of Engineering
Lee’s expertise and contributions through high impact publications at the intersection of biomaterials science and cancer immunotherapy earned him an invitation to collaborate with his lab team and review the field in theĀ Journal of Controlled Release article.Ā
While early studies of biomaterial approaches have shown promise, many attempts failed in clinical trials, particularly for certain tumor types. To overcome these challenges, Lee’s team is shifting focus from solely optimizing chemical properties