This publication out today in ACS Nano, VAR2 Pharma co-authors report proof-of concept for how oncofetal chondroitin sulfate on cancer cells can be targeted by nanoparticle-formulations of red blood cells. This system builds on a natural binding-module mediating attachment of malaria-infected red blood cells to oncofetal chondroitin sulfate presented in the placental and malignant tissue compartments. Red blood cells infected with malaria parasites are prompted to express the VAR2CSA protein on their cell surfaces that binds oncofetal chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycans with high affinity. By loading toxins into infected red blood cells, these red blood cells can deliver the toxic payload to cancer cells via the VAR2CSA and oncofetal chondroitin sulfate interaction. These results provide a new potential opportunity for targeted drug-delivery in cancer treatment.

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https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsnano.3c01910