Responsive Oncotherapeutics
Our work
Professor Nomikou's research demonstrates the potential of site-specific and minimally-invasive treatments based on low-intensity ultrasound (sonodynamic therapy) and light (photodynamic / photothermal therapy). The Responsive Oncotherapeutics group aims to optimise therapeutic modalities using nanotechnology and maximise their potential in clinic.
The group research has mainly focused on the design and development of polyglutamate-based nanoparticle formulations for improving the delivery of sensitizers to tumours in order to maximize the effect of site-specific tumour ablation using ultrasound and/or light. The effect of these treatment modalities in the induction of antitumour immune responses that can further augment tumour ablation are also being investigated in the context of their studies.
More recently, Professor Nomikou's team developed strategies to improve tumour responses to sonodynamic therapy, by identifying cancer cell defences of varying nature, depending on the tumour microenvironment conditions, and by subsequently applying combination treatment with agents that inhibit the relevant defence mechanisms. Thus far, the work has been focused on the treatment of prostate, pancreatic and colorectal cancers.
Group members
Head:
, Research Associate
Dr Ilona Kubajewska, Research Associate
Research students
Maryam Mohammed Hadi (2017-)
PhD Project:Â Optimising sonodynamic therapy to treat prostate and pancreatic cancer.
(2017-)
PhD Project: Developing tumour-responsive nanoparticles to treat pancreatic cancer.
(2019-)
PhD Project:Â Investigating secondary effects of sonodynamic therapy to treat prostate cancer.
Ed Duffy (2019-)
Project:Â Investigating the apoptotic effect of RGD peptide to treat metastatic cancer.
Ìý(2021-)
Project:Â Optimising sonodynamic therapy for the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer.
Yidong Wang (2022-)
Project:Â Designing novel multifunctional nanoparticle formulations for augmenting the effect sonodynamic therapy in cancer.
Funding / Partnerships
Research is funded by the UK Research Councils (EPSRC, MRC), the Royal Society, as well as UK-based cancer charities (e.g., Bowel & Cancer Research). Dr Nomikou’s work has also been supported by private donations.
Selected publications
- Farrell, S., Nicholas, D., Nesbitt, H., Logan, K., Nomikou, N., et al. (2021). . British Journal of Surgery, 108 (9), znab430.235.
- Hadi, M.M., Farrell, S., Nesbitt, H., Thomas, K., Kubajewska, I., Ng, A., Masood, H., Patel, S., Sciscione, F., …, Nomikou, N. (2022) . J Cancer Res Clin Oncol.
- Nicholas, D., Nesbitt, H., Farrell, S., Logan, K., Nomikou, N., et al. (2021). . European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 163, 49-59.
- Hadi, M.M., Masood, H., Sciscione, F., Patel, S., Nomikou, N., et al. (2021). . J Control Release, Jan 10;329:76-86.
- Nomikou, N. (2020). . US Patent Application, 16/385591.
- Logan, K., Foglietta, F., Nesbitt, H., Nomikou, N., et al. (2019). . European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, 139, 224-231.
- Nomikou, N., Feichtinger, G.A., Saha, S., Nuernberger, S., et al. (2018) .ÌýJ Tissue Eng Regen Med,Ìý12:Ìý±ð250– e260.
- Tarassoli, S.P., MacRobert, A., ..., Nomikou, N., et al. 2017. . Nanotechnology, 28 (5).