Zhejiang University Announces $57,000 Commercial Transfer of Two Gold Nanoparticle Patents for Liver Cancer Targeting and Mitochondrial Therapy

September 30,Zhejiang University has issued an announcement proposing the commercial transfer of two patents: “Gold Nanoflowers with Hepatocellular Carcinoma-Targeting and Radiosensitizing Properties, and Their Preparation and Application” and “Ultra-Small Gold Nanoparticles with Mitochondria-Targeting in Tumor Cells and Rapid Renal Metabolism,” with an initial pricing of RMB 400,000.。

Both innovative patents were developed by the research team led by Professor Wu Liming at Zhejiang University. Professor Wu has extensive research background and practical experience in the molecular mechanisms of hepatocellular carcinoma initiation and progression, novel minimally invasive tumor therapies and their clinical translation, as well as the regulation of the tumor immune microenvironment by post-translational protein modifications.

Among these, the patent for “gold nanoflowers with hepatocellular carcinoma-targeting and radiotherapy-sensitizing properties” achieves precise targeting of liver cancer cells; meanwhile, another patent for “ultra-small gold nanoparticles with tumor cell mitochondria-targeting and rapid renal metabolism capabilities” leverages their ultra-small size and unique mitochondrial targeting ability to achieve deep penetration into tumor cells and highly efficient destruction.

In tumor radiotherapy, gold nanoparticles (GNPs), as an emerging class of radiosensitizers, are increasingly becoming a research hotspot due to their excellent biocompatibility. The physicochemical properties of GNPs, such as particle size, surface charge, and assembly morphology, have a decisive impact on their in vivo metabolic pathways and tumor accumulation capacity, thereby directly influencing the efficacy of radiosensitization.

Despite their excellent biocompatibility, GNPs face challenges such as rapid clearance by the human immune system, insufficient tumor-targeting capability, low X-ray absorption efficiency of conventional gold nanospheres, and poor cellular uptake by tumor cells.

To address this challenge, in 2019, Professor Wu Liming’s team at Zhejiang UniversityBy constructing a multifunctional responsive surface on gold nanoflowers, efficient enrichment of liver cancer tissues was achieved, and the radiosensitization effect was significantly enhanced.

According to the patent specification, these gold nanoflowers, by virtue of their unique morphology and surface plasmon resonance properties, are not only readily internalized by cells but also exhibit high X-ray absorption efficiency. Notably, their multifunctional responsive surface remains stable under normal physiological conditions; however, upon entering the tumor microenvironment, it exposes embedded cell-penetrating peptide molecules, thereby facilitating efficient uptake by liver tumor cells and significantly enhancing the accumulation and retention of the gold nanoflowers within tumor tissues.

Meanwhile, the application of gold nanoparticles in vivo is not without risks. Their accumulation in vital organs may induce toxic side effects. Furthermore, due to a lack of targeting capability toward tumors or specific organelles, the concentration of gold nanoparticles within tumor tissues and their interaction with specific organelles are limited, resulting in suboptimal radiosensitization efficacy.

In 2020, Professor Wu Liming’s team developed ultrasmall gold nanoparticles with tumor cell mitochondria-targeting and rapid renal clearance properties.The nanoparticles, with a diameter of only 2.5–5.5 nm, are fabricated by modifying the surface of gold nanoparticles with cell-penetrating peptides. These peptides consist of the FrFKFrFK sequence, the VGPLGV sequence, and the EKEKEKEKEKEK sequence, which collectively enable cell penetration, mitochondrial targeting, cathepsin responsiveness, stabilization of the nanomaterials, and inhibition of cellular phagocytosis.

These ultra-small gold nanoparticles also feature a multifunctional responsive surface. They remain stable under normal physiological conditions; however, upon responding to the tumor microenvironment, they expose internal mitochondria-targeting molecules, thereby facilitating efficient endocytosis by liver tumor cells and precise mitochondrial targeting. This not only enhances the accumulation and retention of the gold nanoparticles within tumor tissues but also ensures their rapid renal clearance in vivo, reducing potential toxic side effects.

The applications of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the medical field are becoming increasingly widespread. In fact, beyond serving as versatile agents for biomedical imaging and drug delivery, GNPs enable novel combination therapies by leveraging their photothermal effects in conjunction with diagnostic imaging or pharmaceutical agents. Consequently, the market size for GNPs continues to expand. In 2022, the global gold nanoparticle market reached USD 6.6 billion, and it is projected to grow rapidly at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.0% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032.

In the market, a number of nanomedicine companies leveraging metal-based nanomaterials as their core technological platform are advancing gold nanoparticle technology into multiple application scenarios. For example,Cytimmue Sciences Develops a Series of Multifunctional Therapeutics, combining known anticancer drugs with its proprietary colloidal gold tumor-targeting nanotechnology. The first-generation Aurimune platform nanotherapy, CYT-6091, delivers gold nanoparticles conjugated with TNF molecules to tumors to disrupt their vasculature, enabling subsequent chemotherapy to penetrate the tumor and kill cancer cells within; the second-generation Aurimune platform nanomedicine, CYT-21000, carries paclitaxel in addition to gold nanoparticles conjugated with TNF molecules.

Nano probes employ chemical cross-linking of metal clusters and nanoparticles as labels through a unique gold-labeling technology.. These labels can be attached to any molecule possessing reactive groups for detection and localization, such as proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, small molecules, and lipids. The unique FluoroNanogold probe combines Nanogold and fluorescein into a single probe, enabling sample imaging via fluorescence and electron microscopy. New probes can be designed based on any fragment of naturally occurring biomolecules, with labeling sites positioned distal to the binding site to avoid interference with binding.

In the field of radiation therapy,Nanobiotix introduces nanophysics into core cellular applications, pioneering highly effective universal solutions that significantly improve patient outcomes.. It is understood that NBTXR3, a technology under its portfolio, consists of crystalline nanoparticles designed to enhance the efficacy of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. These nanoparticles are injected into tumor cells, where they interact with X-rays to maximize the therapeutic effect of radiation treatment and reduce preoperative tumor burden.

With the continuous advancement of technology and the growing demand for medical services, the application prospects of gold nanoparticles in the healthcare sector will become even more promising. In the future, we can expect to see the emergence of more innovative technologies and products based on gold nanoparticles.