# ROS-induced SPIO Targeted Platform for Transarterial Liver Cancer Therapy

> **NIH NIH R21** · OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $211,665

## Abstract

Title: SPIO-GOx conjugate for transarterial liver cancer therapy
Abstract:
 Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and ranks
third amongst cancer-related deaths, with over 700,000 new cases diagnosed each year.
Improved therapies for this disease is urgently needed. Cancer cells die in three ways:
apoptosis, necrosis and autophagy. A significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen
species (ROS) can cause irreversible oxidative damage, leading to cell death through both
apoptosis and necrosis. Recently, our team created a novel SPIO-GOx nanoplatform,
synergizing ROS and metabolic depletion therapies. Using in vitro and in vivo studies, we found
this nanoplatform could produce very high levels of ROS and highly efficient tumor cell
destruction. Maximizing the therapeutic profile of this agent through targeted delivery and
minimal systemic toxicity will be crucial for effective clinical translation. Transarterial
chemoembolization (TACE), where chemotherapy is delivered directly into tumor-feeding
arteries, is the current standard of care for unresectable HCC. TACE synergizes delivery of
chemotherapy with embolization of tumor blood vessels while significantly minimizing toxicity
due to targeted delivery. In this project, we plan to leverage our innovative SPIO-GOx
theranostic nanoplatform with trans-arterial delivery technology to investigate the potential
application in liver cancer treatment. If successful, we may advance the science of liver cancer
treatment using this novel theranostic nanotherapy.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10310481
- **Project number:** 5R21CA249828-02
- **Recipient organization:** OREGON HEALTH & SCIENCE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Khashayar Farsad
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $211,665
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-03-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10310481

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10310481, ROS-induced SPIO Targeted Platform for Transarterial Liver Cancer Therapy (5R21CA249828-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10310481. Licensed CC0.

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