DC-CTM-DNR

DC-CTM-DNR is a nanoparticle-based therapeutic candidate consisting of disulfide-crosslinked micelles (DC-CTM) loaded with the anthracycline chemotherapy agent daunorubicin (DNR). It is specifically designed to target C-type lectin-like molecule-1 (CLL1), a cell surface marker highly expressed on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells and leukemia stem cells (LSCs), while being absent on normal hematopoietic stem cells. The micelles are stabilized by disulfide crosslinking to prevent premature drug release in the systemic circulation. Upon internalization into leukemia cells, the high concentration of the intracellular reductive agent glutathione reduces the disulfide bonds, triggering micelle dissociation and the targeted release of daunorubicin. Developed by researchers at UC Davis, DC-CTM-DNR aims to improve the therapeutic index of AML treatment by effectively eradicating the LSC population responsible for relapse while minimizing systemic toxicities, such as cardiotoxicity, associated with free daunorubicin.

Other names

disulfide-crosslinked CLL1-targeting micelles loaded with daunorubicin