THE DEVELOPMENT OF NANODIAMOND-BASED DRUG-DELIVERY COMPLEXES FOR TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSIS OF ONCOGENE-SPECIFIC HEPATOCELLULAR CARAINOMA

Abstract

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common cancer with a high mortality rate. HCC pathogenesis is often driven by specific oncogenes. A number of therapeutic approaches have been developed to target and treat oncogene-driven cancer. Currently, however, there are still no clinically effective treatment options for targeting specific oncogenes in HCC. We hypothesized that nanoparticle drug-delivery could be used to improve delivery of therapeutics against oncogene-specific HCC. As such, we have developed a drug delivery system using nanodiamonds (NDs), for enhanced therapies against HCCs driven by oncogenes of c-Myc and Spalt Like Transcription Factor 4 (SALL4). Overall, nanodiamond-drug complexes showed improved drug delivery and stability. Therapeutic efficacy was also improved compared to the free drugs. Our work demonstrates the potential for nanodiamonds in clinical application for treatment and diagnosis of oncogene-specific hepatocellular carcinoma.