Scientists have created innovative nanoparticles designed to destroy harmful proteins linked to dementia and cancer. These particles can access difficult tissues like the brain and precisely eliminate problematic proteins without broad side effects. The technology shows early promise for precision medicine.
A team of researchers has introduced a novel approach using engineered nanoparticles to tackle 'undruggable' proteins that drive diseases such as dementia and brain cancer. Led by Chair Professor in Nanomedicine Bingyang Shi at the University of Technology Sydney, in collaboration with Professor Kam Leong of Columbia University and Professor Meng Zheng of Henan University, the work was detailed in a perspective article published in Nature Nanotechnology.
Abnormal proteins, which can mutate, misfold, or accumulate improperly, disrupt cell functions and cause conditions like cancer and autoimmune disorders. 'Proteins are essential for nearly every function in the body, but when they become mutated, misfolded, overproduced, or build up in the wrong place, they can disrupt normal cell processes and trigger disease,' said Professor Shi. Many of these proteins resist traditional drug treatments due to their shapes or behaviors.
The new technology, called nanoparticle-mediated targeting chimeras (NPTACs), allows these particles to bind to specific disease-related proteins and direct them into the body's natural recycling system for breakdown. 'We have developed an efficient and flexible method to guide disease-causing proteins, whether inside or outside the cell, into the body's natural recycling system, where they can be broken down and removed,' Professor Shi explained. This builds on an original discovery reported in Nature Nanotechnology in October 2024.
Unlike existing targeted protein degradation tools, which face challenges in tissue access and off-target effects, NPTACs offer advantages including degradation of both intra- and extracellular proteins, targeting across the blood-brain barrier, modular adaptability, scalability using FDA-approved materials, and potential for multifunctional use. Preclinical studies have shown encouraging results against proteins like EGFR, which promotes tumor growth, and PD-L1, which helps cancer evade the immune system.
The field of targeted protein degradation is booming, with companies like Arvinas raising over $1 billion and partnering with firms such as Pfizer, Bayer, and Roche. The market is projected to exceed $10 billion by 2030. 'This progress paves the way for applications in oncology, neurology and immunology. It changes how we think about nanoparticles - not only as delivery tools but also as active therapeutic agents,' said Professor Shi. The team holds multiple international patents and is seeking industry partners to advance clinical development and regulatory approval.
The full study appears in Nature Nanotechnology (2026; DOI: 10.1038/s41565-025-02081-1).
