The test requires only a single drop of blood to quickly evaluate how the nanomedicines target malignant cells. Credit: Billion Photos/Shutterstock.

Researchers from the Doherty Institute and Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) University have developed a new proof-of-concept blood test designed to optimise cancer treatment by assessing polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based nanomedicines in leukaemia patients.

The test requires only a single blood drop to quickly evaluate how these nanomedicines target malignant cells while decreasing potential side effects.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Nanomedicines consist of tiny particles, which are engineered to deliver drugs directly to diseased cells, such as those in cancer, thereby protecting healthy cells.

Approved nanomedicines like Doxil, Onpattro, and Vyxeos are already in clinical use in Australia and the US, with more in the pipeline.

The study is led by professor Stephen Kent from the University of Melbourne and laboratory head at the Doherty Institute, alongside an Australian Research Council DECRA Fellow at RMIT University, Dr Yi (David) Ju.

They collaborated with the head of Lymphoma Service at The Alfred, professor Constantine Tam, who contributed to the study while at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Although the test is not yet available in clinical settings, its future development and implementation could be expedited through partnerships with industry and government support, potentially within the next few years.

Ju said: “We found that differences in people’s immune systems affects how well these therapies worked against cancer cells, as well as side effects. The team observed the difference in anti-PEG antibodies present in each individual’s blood samples.

“The greater the presence of anti-PEG antibodies in people’s blood the less effective these therapies were at killing cancer cells – in fact, these therapies were more toxic to healthy cells.”

The researchers believe their test represents a significant advancement in understanding the interaction between nanomedicines and blood cells in patients with leukaemia.

The team tested three different PEG-based nanomedicines on blood samples from 15 subjects with leukaemia, incubating them at 37 degrees Celsius for one hour.

Previous research indicated that high levels of anti-PEG antibodies, potentially from mRNA vaccines, could affect the effectiveness of mRNA treatments for cancer, as the body might clear the therapeutics more quickly.