Queen's University scientists devise 'magic bullet' drug for lung injury

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-22527878

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Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have devised a drug which is being hailed as a "magic bullet" to treat Acute Lung Injury (ALI).

They believe it could become the first effective treatment for the condition which affects one-in-five patients in intensive care.

Scientists have developed a particle that can bind to a type of blood cell associated with lung damage.

However, it could be three years before it can be clinically evaluated.

There are 15,000 cases of ALI every year in the UK.

The work is a joint collaboration between the School of Pharmacy and Centre for Infection and Immunity at Queen's.

Their new drug is a nanoparticle, measuring about one billionth of a metre. The patient can inhale it, taking the drug directly into the lungs and to the point of inflammation.

Professor Chris Scott, who is leading the research, said: "Nanoparticles are perhaps one of the most exciting new approaches to drug development.

"Most research in the area focuses on how the delivery of drugs to the disease site can be improved in these minute carriers.

"Our own research in this area focuses on how nanoparticles interact with cells and how this can be exploited to produce therapeutic effects both in respiratory disease and cancer."

The new nanoparticle can bind to specific cells in the lungs inducing a rapid reduction in inflammation.

The Medical Research Council Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme has given £505,000 grant to sponsor the project over two years.

Professor Danny McAuley from the Centre for Infection and Immunity, a partner in developing the new nanomedicine, said that, if successful, this nanomedicine could also have application in other common lung disorders such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Cystic Fibrosis.