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Nanozymes for Treating Viral Infections and Cancer

Detailed Technology Description

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*Abstract

Invention

This nanozyme synthesis establishes a new class of biological catalysts for cancer and viral infection treatment. According the American Cancer Society, half of men and a third of women develop cancer during their lives. Viruses such as influenza, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are also widespread and life-threatening. Clearly, effective anticancer and antiviral treatments are in great demand. The term nanozyme is a combination of the words nanoparticle and enzyme. Nanoparticles are simply the smallest units of matter that retain the ability to function as a single entity. Enzymes are proteins that increase the rates of chemical reactions, thereby allowing cells to quickly build or breakdown molecules. By combining nanoparticles, enzymes, and moieties (specific groups of atoms that affect molecules’ selectivity), researchers at the University of Florida have created these nanozymes as a medicine for antiviral and anticancer therapy. These nanozymes can contain loaded drugs that release when the nanozymes reach sites of infection or abnormal cell growth. This breakthrough technology will allow medical scientists to specifically target and destroy many diseases and malignancies.

Application

A new class of biological catalysts called nanozymes for the treatment of cancers and viral infections

Advantages

• Administers through different routes (intravenous, topical, etc.), permitting flexible treatment based on the medical situation
• Includes certain moieties that protect the enzymes and drugs from degradation, increasing their effectiveness against cancers and viruses
• Provides targeted treatment, mitigating damage to healthy body tissue and minimizing side effects
• Incorporates imaging agents, allowing healthcare providers to observe treatments in real-time

Technology

The nanozymes have three main components: nanoparticles, enzymes, and moieties. Each performs a specific biotechnological function. The nanoparticles provide the scaffold, a stable base onto which the other components can attach. Enzymes (and drugs, if desired) destroy malignant or infected cells. Finally, the three different moieties—recognition groups, protection groups, and cell-entry groups—serve their own specific functions: the recognition component guides the enzymes toward specific DNA strands, RNA strands, or proteins of interest; the protection component prevents the enzymes from degrading before they reach their final destination; and the cell-entry component makes it possible for the enzymes to gain access into specific organs, cell types, sub-cellular organelles, and nuclei.

*Principal Investigator

Name: Yunwei Cao

Department:

Name: Chen Liu

Department:

Name: Hongyan Liu

Department:

Name: Soon Hye Yang

Department:

Name: Zhongliang Wang

Department:

Country/Region

USA