Nanocapsules hijack then self-destruct

Australian researchers funded by the National Heart Foundation are a step closer to a safer and more effective way to treat heart attack and stroke via nanotechnology.
The research jointly lead by Professor Christoph Hagemeyer, Head of the Vascular Biotechnology Laboratory at Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute and Professor Frank Caruso, an ARC Australian Laureate Fellow in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of Melbourne was published today in the leading journal Advanced Materials.
Professor Hagemeyer said this latest step offers a vast difference between the current treatments for blood clots and what might be possible in the future.
'We’ve created a nanocapsule that contains a clot-busting drug. The drug loaded nanocapsule is coated with an antibody that specifically targets activated platelets, the cells that form blood clots,' Prof Hagemeyer said.
'Once located at the site of the blood clot, thrombin (a molecule at the centre of the clotting process) breaks open the outer layer of the nanocapsule, releasing the clot-busting drug. We are effectively hijacking the blood clotting system to initiate the removal of the blockage in the blood vessel.'
'This targeted drug can potentially offer a safer alternative with fewer side effects for people suffering a heart attack or stroke. This life saving treatment could be administered by paramedics in emergency situations without the need for specialised equipment as is currently the case,' he said.
National Heart Foundation CEO Mary Barry said the organisation had a proud history of funding researchers who develop ground-breaking treatments to help many of the 55,000 Australians every year who have a heart attack and suffer a stroke.
'About half of the people who need a clot-busting drug can’t use the current treatments because the risk of serious bleeding is too high. Bringing ground-breaking nanotechnology into cardiovascular research could make life saving treatment possible for thousands of people,' Ms Barry said.
'We know heart attacks are Australia’s number one killer. I’m proud that Heart Foundation is funding Prof Hagemeyer’s work, knowing that these sorts of developments will without a doubt help save lives,' Ms Barry said.
This article first appeared on the Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute website http://www.bakeridi.edu.au/nanocapsules/