University of Wollongong research set to revolutionise cancer treatment
This article was originally published by University of Wollongong.
An innovative drug delivery platform for cancer treatment which is aided by smart sensors is a step closer to clinical application thanks to University of Wollongong (UOW) researchers.
The ResectAssist™ Drug Delivery Platform is designed to deliver precise, high-dose cancer treatments directly into solid tumours with high unmet medical needs using standard endoscopy techniques.
The biodegradable implant has the potential to treat a wide range of solid tumours.
It has been developed by a multidisciplinary UOW team led by Associate Professor Kara Vine-Perrow and Professor Morteza Aghmesheh.
UOW has secured a partnership with advanced clinical-stage biotechnology company FivepHusion to bring the innovative platform closer to clinical application.
The agreement allows FivepHusion to develop the platform.
The drug delivery platform was developed by a multidisciplinary team co-led by Principal Fellow in the University of Wollongong’s School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Associate Professor Vine-Perrow. Credit: University of Wollongong.
By minimising systemic side effects and maximising treatment efficacy, the platform has the potential to transform care for conditions like locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) that are unresectable (cannot be completely removed with surgery), one of the most challenging cancers to treat.
“The ResectAssist™ Platform enables delivery of a diverse range of drug payloads directly into solid tumours via standard endoscopy procedures,” Associate Professor Vine-Perrow said.
“We are excited to collaborate with FivepHusion to develop this technology to treat pancreatic cancer and a broad range of other tumours.”
FivepHusion CEO Dr Christian Toouli said the transaction formalises a long-term collaboration with the University of Wollongong to secure an exciting pipeline development opportunity that will ultimately follow the development and commercialisation of Deflexifol®.
“We are looking forward to rapidly developing the ResectAssist™ Platform into a clinical trial program to optimise treatment for cancer patients,” Dr Toouli said.
The platform’s lead drug candidate, ResectAssist™-FOLFIRINOX, focuses on LAPC, delivering high-dose FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) directly into tumours.
The treatment aims to convert inoperable cancers into resectable ones, increasing the potential for curative outcomes.
Professor Aghmesheh, an honorary clinical professor at UOW, highlighted the platform’s impact.
“There is a significant unmet medical need for the treatment of pancreatic cancer patients, and in particular those with unresectable disease,” Professor Aghmesheh said.
“The ResectAssist™ technology is designed to optimally deliver the FOLFIRINOX regimen, the most efficacious but also the most toxic therapy, facilitating maximum anti-cancer efficacy without typical systemic side effects.”
Pancreatic cancer remains a critical global health challenge, with survival rates under 10 percent and limited treatment options.
UOW’s ResectAssist™ technology addresses this urgent need by offering a safer, more effective therapeutic pathway for patients.
The technology can deliver various drug types, from small molecules to advanced biologics and mRNA-based therapies, providing opportunities to partner with biopharmaceutical companies and expand into other cancer markets.
The partnership underscores UOW’s commitment to translating groundbreaking research into real-world solutions that improve lives.
ResectAssist™ exemplifies how UOW researchers are addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges, positioning the University as a leader in innovation and collaboration.