Sponsor: Nanospectra Biosciences, Inc.

• Project duration: 10/1/2004 - 9/30/2007
• Total project (est.): $2,551,351
• Requested ATP funds: $2,000,000

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States, with an additional 1.2 million Americans afflicted each year and a cost to the economy estimated to be $180 billion annually. Earlier detection of cancer and more effective treatment methods each offer the opportunity to reduce treatment costs, save lives and improve patient outcomes. Nanospectra Biosciences proposes an elegant technology that seamlessly combines precision detection and destruction of cancerous tissue using a new class of nanomaterials - near-infrared absorbing composite particles called "nanoshells". Nanoshells are nanoscale spheres consisting of an electrically insulating core wrapped in a thin metal shell. By controlling the thickness of core and shell, nanoshells can be tuned to absorb light at specific frequency bands. Nanospectra proposes that nanoshells made of biocompatible materials, gold and silica (glass), for example, can be made to absorb near-infrared light, a range where light can penetrate body tissue. When injected into the patient's bloodstream, nanoshells will preferentially accumulate in tumors because of their leaky blood supply. Modifying the nanoshells with tumor-targeting antibodies could enhance this effect. A new medical imaging technique called photoacoustic tomography (PAT), which relies on light absorption to work, can then be used to detect and pinpoint the tumors by finding nanoshell concentrations. The nanoshells act as a targeted contrast agent to extend the sensitivity of this technique to identify tumors and metastatic disease at levels currently undetectable by conventional imaging methods. Once a tumor has been identified, or even as a preventative measure, additional infrared energy can be pumped into the nanoshells by a laser, heating them and thermally destroying the tumor cells. Destruction of healthy cells should be minimal, and since the technique involves neither ionizing radiation nor toxic drugs, there are no adverse health effects to the patient - meaning that the treatment can be repeated as often as desired. While this technique will be broadly applicable to most solid tumors, the initial commercial focus will be to develop a diagnostic and therapeutic product for breast cancer, a leading cause of death among women. The significant challenges to this effort include the effective targeting and delivery of these nanoparticles to the tumors, the integration of the significant optical properties of nanoshells with ultra-sensitive imaging techniques, and developing effective activation methodologies to deliver laser light deep into tissue. If successfully developed, this new product will enable earlier detection of tumors; safe, non-toxic preventative treatment - even prophylactic treatment before detection; and a new method of treating previously inoperable tumors. The company will work with Texas A&M; University (College Station, Texas) which developed the PAT instrument, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas) and Rice University (Houston, Texas) in developing the technique. ATP funding will enable Nanospectra, a small company, to accelerate the research by about three years, providing an opportunity for the United States to realize the significant benefits from earlier cancer detection and treatment.

For project information:

J. Donald Payne, (713) 842-2720 x201
dpayne@nanospectra.com

ATP Project Manager

Mrunal Chapekar, 301-975-6846
mrunal.chapekar@nist.gov

This is the fact sheet for this project as it was announced on September 28, 2004.
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