NANOMEDICINES FOR CANCER DETECTION AND TREATMENT
Nanoparticles have been researched over the last few decades for cancer detection and treatment as a result of their ability to passively accumulate in tumors by taking advantage of the leakiness of tumor vasculature. Although many nanomedicines have reached the clinic, issues with suboptimal distribution, side effects and low response rates continue to point toward the need for more specific and effective targeting strategies. The objective of our research is to develop nanomedicines that can provide greater specificity and efficacy through the use of photothermal treatment, molecular targeting, and combination therapies. In addition, we are investigating the potential of nanomedicine-mediated therapies to engage the immune system to detect and treat remaining or metastasized cancers.
DISEASE-TRIGGERED DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEMS
Most drug delivery systems developed to date are not designed for disease-triggered release of active compounds. In fact, their function is founded mostly on diffusion of drug molecules from bulk polymeric nano-constructs. In recent years, there has been great urge for the development of drug delivery systems that can deliver drugs on demand. The aim of our research is to develop responsive polymeric biomaterials that can be activated by disease-specific molecules or by external triggers controlled by a physician or patient. The vision is to engineer our materials in such a way that recognition of specific molecular targets or a particular stimuli will lead to on-demand drug release. Hybridized nucleic acid linkers, enzymatically cleavable linkers, polyelectrolytes, and photothermal agents are being utilized to offer the desired on-demand response.
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