PH-Responsive Micelles for Controlled Enzyme Inhibitor Release

In this project, we will design pH-responsive micelles, loaded with the anticancer agent SAHA, to target effective drug deliver at the tumour site.

The histone-deacetylase enzymes (HDACs) are an important class of molecular targets in cancer therapy, due to their role in gene expression and cancer metastasis. SAHA is a HDAC inhibitor used to treat T-cell lymphoma. Despite its benefits, SAHA has been shown to have off-target effects, including potential genotoxicity.

In this project, we will produce delivery systems for SAHA that lead to active molecule only at the tumour.

To selectively deliver the drug to the tumour, we will develop micelles that release the SAHA at the lower pH and more reducing environment of the tumour compared to the typical extracellular environment. The project comprises inhibitor synthesis, micelle synthesis, micelle analysis and biological testing.