The University of Chicago

Wenbo Han

Wenbin Lin

Christina Chan

Xiaopin Duan

Nanoparticles comprising micheliolide (MCL) or derivatives thereof, and optionally additional therapeutic agents, such as chemotherapeutic agents, are described. Also described are methods of treating diseases, such as cancer, comprising the use of combinations of MCL or a derivative thereof with X-ray irradiation and/or other therapeutic agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors. The use of the combinations can provide synergistic anticancer therapeutic efficacy, for example, as the MCL or derivative thereof can both sensitize cancer cells to therapy and target resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs) for selective cell death.

Combination of micheliolide derivatives or nanoparticles with ionizing radiation and checkpoint inhibitors for cancer therapy

Prodrugs containing lipid moieties attached to drug derivatives, such as anti-cancer drug derivatives, via linkers comprising disulfide groups are described. Also described are nanoparticles coated with a lipid layer containing the prodrugs, formulations comprising the nanoparticles, and the use of the nanoparticles in methods of treating diseases, such as cancer, alone or in combination with additional drug compounds, targeting agents, and/or immunotherapy agents, such as immunosuppression inhibitors that target the CTLA-4, PD-1/PD-L1, IDO, LAG-3, CCR-7 or other pathways, or multiple immunosuppression inhibitors targeting a combination of such pathways. Optionally, the nanoparticles can comprise a photosensitizer or a derivative thereof and can be used in methods involving photodynamic therapy. Synergistic therapeutic effects result from combinations of multiple modalities provided by the disclosed nanoparticles and/or nanoparticle formulations.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Wenbo Han