Programmable Peptide Nucleic Acid-Based Nanoplatform for Customizable Drug Delivery

Abstract

Researchers at the University of California, Davis have developed a peptide nucleic acid-based system enabling precise and customizable delivery of antigens, adjuvants, and targeting molecules for improved cancer immunotherapy.

Full Description

This technology provides a programmable nanoplatform using single-stranded peptide nucleic acid scaffolds combined with oligonucleotide helper strands to self-assemble antigenic molecules, targeting moieties, and immunomodulatory adjuvants into an oligomer under physiological conditions. It protects therapeutic components from enzymatic degradation and allows highly specific targeting of antigen-presenting cells to trigger effective and durable immune responses against cancer. The platform supports diverse molecular payloads, including tumor-associated antigens, peptides, small molecules, and imaging agents, offering flexible, robust cancer vaccine design and treatment opportunities.

Applications

• Therapeutic cancer vaccines for immuno-oncology. 
• Customizable drug delivery systems for peptide and small molecule therapeutics. 
• Targeted delivery platforms for antigen-presenting cells. 
• Imaging agent delivery combined with therapeutics for diagnostics. 
• Development of novel vaccine adjuvants and immunomodulatory treatments. 
• Personalized medicine approaches using neoantigen-based immunotherapies.

Features/Benefits

• Achieves high binding specificity using programmable peptide nucleic acid scaffolds. 
• Increases resistance to nuclease and protease degradation. 
• Enables co-delivery of multiple therapeutic components such as antigens, adjuvants, and targeting molecules. 
• Improves targeting of professional antigen-presenting cells to enhance immune responses. 
• Offers flexible design compatible with peptides, small molecules, and chemical synthesis. 
• Self-assembles under physiological conditions for practical in vivo application. 
• Supports delivery of diverse immunomodulators, including CpG oligonucleotides and chemotherapy drugs. 
• Enhances targeting efficiency of cancer vaccines to immune-relevant cells. 
• Ensures reliable co-delivery and protection of antigens and adjuvants from degradation. 
• Overcomes limited flexibility and specificity of traditional nucleic acid-based scaffolds. 
• Bypasses physiological barriers that reduce vaccine efficacy. 
• Increases immune activation by providing precise delivery systems.

Patent Status

Patent Pending

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