The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute (ONJCRI) proudly congratulates Dr Yi (David) Ju and Dr Stephen Kent from the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity on their latest publication in Nature Nanotechnology.
Striking the Right Balance: Stealth vs. Targeting
The article explores one of the most enduring challenges in nanomedicine: how to ensure nanomedicines are not cleared too quickly by the immune system while still effectively reaching and targeting diseased tissues. The research reveals that the delicate balance between “stealth” (avoiding immune detection) and “targeting” (reaching specific cells or tissues) is critical to enhancing therapeutic effectiveness.
Despite their promise, many nanomedicines underperform in clinical settings because they are rapidly eliminated by the body before they can reach their intended target. This paper provides new perspectives on how to overcome these challenges – offering a roadmap for the rational design of future therapies.
The comment synthesises insights from prior experimental findings and a comprehensive literature review, allowing the team to develop key hypotheses that can guide researchers in optimising nanomedicine design. These principles could influence how we develop next-generation cancer treatments, gene therapies, and drug delivery systems.
The work was generously supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
???? Read the full article in Nature Nanotechnology
We applaud this impactful contribution to the field and its potential to influence how life-saving treatments are developed and delivered.