How Nanovesicles Could Transform Thrombolytic Therapy
- Ashira Agarwal
- 5 hours ago
- 1 min read
Every second counts when it comes to treating blood clots. Conditions such as ischemic stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism occur when blood flow is suddenly blocked. Timely removal of these clots can mean the difference between life and death.
One of the main treatments involves using tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), a drug that dissolves clots by converting plasminogen into plasmin. However, tPA breaks down within minutes in the bloodstream and can trigger severe bleeding if given in high doses. Researchers have been looking for a way to make this life-saving drug safer and more effective.
A research team has developed a new nanomedicine platform that uses vesicles derived from red blood cells (RBCVs) as tiny carriers for thrombolytic drugs. These vesicles are biocompatible, biodegradable, and highly targeted, offering a new way to deliver clot-breaking agents directly to where they are needed most.
The RBCVs are designed with targeting ligands that recognize and bind to activated platelets, which are the cells that gather at a clot. Once attached, the vesicles fuse with the platelet membrane, releasing the drug into the clot. This approach protects tPA from being destroyed in circulation, extends its half-life, and reduces bleeding risks by preventing unnecessary drug activity anywhere else in the body.
Early studies, including work published in Advanced Healthcare Materials and Science Advances, show that these nanovesicles can improve clot penetration, drug stability, and speed up thrombolysis. If this technology continues to advance, it could pave the way for a new generation of targeted treatments for stroke, heart attack, and pulmonary embolism.
Thank you for reading,
Ashira Agarwal
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