Dr. Lee on Nanotechnology Combination Therapy in RCC

Benjamin R. Lee, MD, chief, Division of Urology, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Tucson Department of Surgery, and director of the Genitourinary Cancer and Disease Oriented Strategic Planning Team, University of Arizona Cancer Center, discusses nanotechnology combination therapy for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

These small particles have the advantage of high surface area ratio, Lee explains. In an animal model, gold nanorods were encapsulated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in an effort to help address the hydrophobic nature of this drug. A tumor model was created to inject the nanoparticles, along with local dissenimation of the TKI. A secondary treatment—laser thermal ablation—was also administered.

Results show that there is a synergistic effect between the two entities so that there is a greater cell death with the combination versus each individual treatment arm alone.