Enhancing taxol delivery with novel taxol conjugated liposomal nanoparticles

Cancer has been a leading cause of death in many developed nations. Although there exists a variety of anti-cancer drugs, standard chemotherapy has a severe limitation in which all dividing cells are been targeted as well. In order to enhance the efficiency of anti-cancer drug delivery, we adopt a nano-particle mediated approach whereby targeted anti-cancer therapeutics will be conjugated to biodegradable nano-particles. Due to the extra-permeability and retention (EPR) effect, the nano-particles will be entrapped in the solid tumors, but not in healthy tissues. The conjugated anti-cancer therapeutics will then be released and destroy the cancer cells. Possible improvements will include the use of selective signaling pathway inhibitors to inhibit cancer cell division, and the conjugation of selective ligands to improve the targeting ability of the nano-particles.Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering