Nanotechnology Holds Promise for STD Drug Delivery

Summary posted by Meridian on 5/4/2009
Source: Yale University
Author: n/a

Yale researchers have taken an important step toward the development of a new kind of treatment for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that could eventually lead to antimicrobial ointments that people could self-apply for prevention or treatment of HIV or HPV. The treatment uses densely-loaded nanoparticles made of a biodegradable polymer know as PLGA that can deliver siRNAs (small interfering RNA molecules that silence genes), which could knock out the function of genes in microbes that cause STDs. According to Kim Woodrow, a Yale postdoctoral fellow, "RNA interference is a promising approach for prevention and treatment of human disease. We wanted to develop a new strategy of delivering siRNAs with a FDA-approved material." The Yale researchers found that the PLGA nanoparticles were safer than the best current lipid vehicles. The next step will be to test this approach on HIV model mice that have an immune system genetically identical to humans, and then move onto human clinical testing. The article says this approach holds much promise for global health and, says Woodrow, "[I]t is safe and effective and much easier than getting an injection of vaccine." The study appears in the May 4, 2009, advance online publication of Nature Materials. The article can be viewed online at the link below.

The original article may still be available at opa.yale.edu/news/article.aspx?id=6665&s=t

As tagged by Meridian Institute:

Health And Medical: Devices, Diseases
Implications: Human Enhancement, Economic Competitiveness
Nanomaterials: Naturally Occurring
Regions: North America
Stakeholders: Government, Academia

Related Forums:

• Health and Medical
• Economic Competitiveness

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