Creating tiny factories inside cells to produce cancer-fighting drugs
Official title: Pharmaceutical Nanofactories: Intracellular synthesis of bioactive drug molecules
Funded at Colorado School of Mines · NIH-10439302 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring new tiny materials that can safely deliver and turn on cancer-fighting drugs right inside your cells, aiming to make treatments more effective and reduce side effects for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado School of Mines NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Golden, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2022 |
| Award (this year) | $418,826 |
| NIH project number | 1R15CA271365-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10439302 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cancer who may benefit from advanced drug delivery systems.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with cancer or those who do not respond to conventional therapies may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative nanomaterials that can be used to deliver and activate cancer-fighting drugs directly within cells. By utilizing mesoporous silica nanoparticles, the team aims to encapsulate inactive drug molecules and catalysts that become activated in the cellular environment. This approach seeks to minimize side effects and combat drug resistance by ensuring that the drugs are only activated where they are needed. Patients may benefit from more effective treatments with fewer adverse effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments with reduced side effects and improved patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using nanotechnology for drug delivery, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in cancer treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Trewyn, Brian — Colorado School of Mines
- Study coordinator: Trewyn, Brian
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.