Sperm Research in Cancer Treatment

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  An investigation of the potential for human sperm cells to detect and target human cancer cells with chemotherapeutic drugs

• IRAS ID

  237140

• Contact name

  Daniel Brison

• Contact email

  daniel.brison@manchester.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 1 days

• Research summary

  Research Summary:
  We propose to carry out a basic science project to investigate whether human sperm can be used to act as a natural delivery vehicle for cancer therapeutics.
  Specifically we aim to develop improved detection methods and treatments for gynaecological cancers by using human sperm, which naturally travel efficiently up the female reproductive system, to help better detect and deliver drugs. We anticipate that this might lead to better early detection strategies and more specific treatments with reduced side effects

  Lay summary of study results:
  Most aggressive ovarian cancers are now established to begin as tiny, pre-cancerous lesions called STIC lesions in the fallopian tube. These lesions are extremely difficult to detect or treat because they are small, symptom-free, and located deep within the reproductive tract. Current treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy are poorly suited for intervention at this very early stage.

  The project explored a novel solution: using human sperm as natural drug-delivery vehicles. Sperm are uniquely adapted to swim through the fallopian tubes, the sites where STIC lesions arise. We showed that human sperm can be loaded with chemotherapy drugs and deliver them to cancer cells in 3D ovarian cancer models. The approach offers a potential way to treat early disease locally and precisely, reducing harm to healthy tissues. Taken together, the work provides proof-of-concept for a new strategy to target ovarian cancer at its earliest stages.
  

• REC name

  Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  18/YH/0130

• Date of REC Opinion

  4 Apr 2018

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion