Balasundaram G., Webster T.J.
Purdue University, US
Keywords: bone cancer, drug delivery, HYDROXYAPATITE
For people dying of some cancers such as breast and prostate, the spread of bone cancer is almost universal. Although current drug delivery systems have found a variety of uses in targeting certain forms of cancer, their suitability to treat bone cancer has not yet been demonstrated. In the present study, functionalized bioresorbable nano-materials (less than 50 nm in size) will be formulated to specifically attach to cancerous (not healthy) bone to form an implant used to treat bone cancer. After attachment, sustained release of the anti-cancer agents will then occur at targeted sites. Specifically, inorganic biodegradable nanomaterials (including ceramics like hydroxyapatite or HA) will be functionalized with anti-cancer drugs (such as doxorubicin using covalent chemical attachment). The outer coating of the embedded nanoparticle systems will also be created to have different biodegradation rates for the controlled release of anticancer agents to the target site. In this study, we provided the evidence of synthesizing highly degradable nano-amorphous calcium phosphate and slowly degradable nano-crystalline HA as drug delivery carriers to treat bone cancer.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Technical Proceedings of the 2006 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: May 7, 2006
Pages: 61 - 62
Industry sectors: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing | Medical & Biotech
Topics: Biomaterials, Cancer Nanotechnology
ISBN: 0-9767985-7-3