International study led by HonorHealth Research Institute suggests using olive nanovesicles as an advanced drug delivery system
Applications range from more effective use of anti-cancer drugs to gene editing to the creation of modern RNA-based therapeutics
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Dec. 30, 2024 — Vesicles derived from olives could be the basis of a new drug delivery system that could be less toxic and better targeted to a patient’s disease. The new treatment would not require refrigeration and is relatively inexpensive, derived using waste from agricultural olive processing, according to a new international study led by HonorHealth Research Institute.
These lipid-based membranes, known as nanoscale extracellular vesicles or nanovesicles, would deliver drugs in tiny packages to patients, according to the study, “Physical, biochemical, and biological characterization of olive-derived lipid nanovesicles for drug delivery applications,” published in Springer Nature’s Journal of Nanobiotechnology.
“Together, these findings suggested that (olive‐derived nanovesicles) represent a promising candidate as drug nanocarriers for various (drug delivery system) clinical applications, as demonstrated by their biocompatibility, high resistance to stress, good stability in harsh environments, and improvement of anticancer drug efficacy,” the study concluded.
“The potential benefit is a better drug,” said Frederic Zenhausern, Ph.D., MBA, a senior investigator at HonorHealth Research Institute and director of the Center for Applied NanoBioscience and Medicine at the University of Arizona’s School of Medicine-Phoenix, and professor at the university’s Basic Medical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering.
“Synthetic Lipid Nanoparticles (LNPs), like the ones used in the COVID-19 vaccines, require cumbersome low temperature refrigeration storage, while plant lipid vesicles can be used as drug carriers without the necessity of special shelf-life conditions, which can significantly improve healthcare access and delivery while reducing costs,” Dr. Zenhausern said.
Plant-based advantages
Plant-based nanovesicles are seen as easier to engineer with more humanly compatible membranes than animal-derived extracellular vesicles. These features enable more precise targeting of cancer tumors and improved bioavailability with less immunogenic side effects suitable for transporting a variety of therapeutics.
Researchers screened a variety of edible plants, including citrus fruits, melons, apples, cabbage, ginger, garlic, turmeric, grapefruit, broccoli, cherries, tomatoes, grapes, and mushrooms. Ultimately, the team settled on olives, which are economical, less likely to elicit an adverse immune response in patients, and because of their use in the cosmetic industry, said Dr. Zenhausern.
Among the first applications could be in the delivery of anti-cancer drugs, such as the small-molecule doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic drug used to fight breast cancer, lymphoma, and sarcoma. In the study, olive nanovesicles were shown to load and release doxorubicin with increased efficacy compared to traditionally unencapsulated drugs.
These nanovesicles could someday even address brain tumors because they are small enough molecules to slip through the halo of micro-capillaries that form what is known as the blood-brain barrier, the body’s natural defense against toxins reaching the brain.
“We think we have an opportunity to do a lot more fine-tuning of drug targeting with these nanovesicles,” while minimizing side-effects, such as liver complications, said Dr. Zenhausern. “We can, in fact, potentially reduce the dose to get the same effect. Or, increase the dose to have a better effect.”
Because it may be a more efficient way of delivering drugs, nanovesicles also might be used in cellular therapies for delivering RNA therapeutics or other emerging gene editing treatments that could improve treatments for patients with rare conditions, reducing the frequency and complexity of care access and delivery.
Teaming with Biosphere II
The study team also is working with Biosphere II, the University of Arizona’s giant controlled-environment laboratory north of Tucson, where they are experimenting with growing plants using “vertical farming,” an aqua-based horticulture that allows maximum plant growth and more standardized vesicles for better quality control, while minimizing cost and resources under AI-assisted controls of nutrients, light and water.
Contributing to this study were: the University of Arizona’s College of Medicine-Phoenix, and the university’s College of Engineering; CNRS, the French National Center for Scientific Research, Europe’s largest science agency; University of Montpellier; University of Lyon; and HonorHealth Research Institute.
“It is exciting to see the partnership of scientists both locally and around the world, benefitted by local philanthropy, to advance novel scientific ideas. We plan to continue the laboratory work to demonstrate the ability of nanovesicle encapsulated drugs to improve on results in lab models of breast cancer treatment with doxorubicin,” said Michael S. Gordon, M.D., Medical Oncologist and Chief Medical Officer of the HonorHealth Research Institute.
Funding for this study was provided by: the U.S. National Institutes of Health; the University of Montpellier; and the HonorHealth Research Institute Rare Cancer Initiative supported by Desert Mountain CARE.
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About the HonorHealth Research Institute
HonorHealth Research Institute is an international destination that is at the forefront of providing patients with a better quality of life through its clinical trials and innovative treatment options. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, the institute’s team of physicians and researchers collaborate with experts from across the nation to offer life-changing therapies, drugs and devices. At HonorHealth Research Institute, patients have access to tomorrow’s health innovations, today. Learn more at: HonorHealth.com/research.
