[E-Daily Reporter NA EUN-KYUNG ] Genomictree Inc.(228760)announced on the 28th that it has developed a technology to encapsulate two types of tumor suppressor messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) within a single lipid nanoparticle (LNP) for delivery, and that a related research paper has been accepted for publication in “ACS Bio & Med Chem Au,” an international journal in the field of biological and medicinal chemistry published by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

This paper was selected as an invited article for the special issue titled “The Prodigious Diversity of Lipid Nanoparticles for Gene Delivery,” which focuses on LNP-based gene delivery technology.

The research team developed a technology to simultaneously load the mRNA of PTEN and p53—two representative tumor suppressor genes—into a single LNP. Tumor suppressor genes play a role in inhibiting the proliferation and survival of cancer cells. PTEN inhibits the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which promotes the growth and survival of cancer cells, while p53 regulates the cell cycle and induces the death of damaged cells.

To enhance mRNA stability and protein expression efficiency, the research team applied their proprietary “Universal UTR” technology. The UTR is a region of mRNA that is not translated into protein but regulates mRNA stability and translation efficiency. They designed the system to simultaneously deliver the two types of mRNA by combining it with an LNP utilizing protopanaxadiol (PPD)-derived lipids.

Cell experiments confirmed the expression of PTEN and p53 proteins in the treatment group that received both mRNAs simultaneously, and significant changes were observed in related signaling factors. In particular, the dual-mRNA treatment group demonstrated superior efficacy in suppressing malignant phenotypes, such as cancer cell survival rates, compared to when each mRNA was administered alone.

However, this study is currently limited to confirming the feasibility of simultaneous delivery of the two tumor suppressor factors and their anticancer effects at the cellular level. Actual in vivo delivery efficiency, anticancer efficacy, and safety must be verified through additional animal studies.

Based on this study, Genomictree Inc. plans to develop various combinations of tumor suppressor factor mRNAs and expand the technology into a composite anticancer platform that can also incorporate other drugs, such as chemotherapeutic agents.

Ahn Seong-hwan, CEO of Genomictree Inc., stated, “This study demonstrates that encapsulating two mRNAs simultaneously within a single LNP can enhance anticancer efficacy,” adding, “We expect this to serve as the foundation for a new therapeutic platform that multiplies the combined anticancer effect by incorporating additional payloads.”

He added, “We are currently developing a combination therapy strategy that utilizes various tumor-suppressor mRNAs based on the Universal UTR and incorporates chemotherapeutic agents as additional payloads, and we will continue to validate this approach through cellular and animal experiments in various cancer models.”