Ferritin‐based nanocarrier delivery of <scp>KRAS G12D</scp> inhibitor in pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells and patient‐derived organoids: A novel approach for treatment
Activating KRAS mutations, particularly G12 variants, are key drivers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and other cancers. While KRAS was historically considered undruggable, mutant-specific inhibitors, including non-covalent KRAS G12D inhibitor MRTX1133, have emerged. However, efficacy and resistance remain challenges. We utilized a stimuli-sensitive, ferritin-derived nanomedicine platform to encapsulate high concentrations of MRTX1133, aiming for targeted delivery of the drug to KRAS-mutated pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells. This platform, designed for enhanced biodistribution and reduced off-target effects, achieved a major efficacy over free MRTX1133 in 2D models regarding cell proliferation and KRAS inhibition pathway and, in 3D spheroid models, specifically concerning cell death. Efficacy in patient-derived organoids was comparable. This study demonstrates the potential of this nanomedicine platform for targeted delivery of KRAS mutant-specific inhibitors to human tumors.
Authors
- Silvia Masciarelli (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6738-6281)
- Claudio Sette (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2864-8266)
- Veronica Ruta (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3181-7024)
- Valentina Panzeri (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8930-7222)
- Claudia Tito
- Colotti Gianni
- Pierpaolo Ceci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7712-8430)
- Annalisa Pia Abbinantefina
- Elisabetta Falvo
- Giada Tisci
Institutions
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
- Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic (IT)
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology (IT)
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Protein Science
- Published
- 2026-01-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pro.70444
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- Protein Kinase Regulation and GTPase Signaling
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 22.24
Funders
- European Commission