Co-authors of the Nature Communications paper included K. Yu Vlasova, D.K. Sahel, Namratha Turuvekere Vittala Murthy, Milan Gautam, and Antony Jozic, alongside their collaborators from OHSU and the University of Helsinki.

Scientists have developed an innovative drug delivery system utilizing smart nanoparticles to transport genetic therapies directly to the lungs, aiming to target diseases such as lung cancer and cystic fibrosis.

This groundbreaking research was spearheaded by Gaurav Sahay from Oregon State University, in collaboration with Oregon Health & Science University and the University of Helsinki, with the findings published in both Nature Communications and the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

The nanoparticle treatment was found to slow the growth of lung cancer and improve lung function in cystic fibrosis, a condition stemming from a single gene mutation.

In their extensive testing of over 150 materials, researchers successfully created a novel nanoparticle capable of safely delivering messenger RNA and gene-editing tools to lung cells, demonstrating promising results in mouse studies.

Sahay highlighted the potential of this streamlined synthesis method to pave the way for designing future therapies for a variety of diseases.

The research showcased effective targeted delivery of genetic medicines, which not only activated the immune system against cancer but also restored function in genetic lung diseases without causing harmful side effects.

A new chemical strategy was introduced to develop a diverse library of lung-targeting lipids for the nanocarriers, allowing for customization to target various organs throughout the body.

The studies received support from prominent organizations, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the National Cancer Institute, and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.