| Project Detail |
Innovative nanocarrier-based cancer treatment
Current conventional cancer treatment methods are associated with clinical challenges that include non-specificity, side effects and drug tolerance. Recently developed localised therapies based on nanoscale drugs are non-invasive, controllable and have minimal side effects. This type of treatment delivers nanocarriers to the exact location of the targeted tumour, releasing chemotherapeutic drugs after activation. Concerns over the safety of this technology are associated with the lack of biodegradation, potential toxicity, poor bioavailability and complications of drug activation. Funded by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions programme, the LCT project aims to introduce innovative nanocarriers that are nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable for combined application with established treatments such as precise and effective radiation therapy.
Currently, cancer is the second cause of morbidity and death in Europe, with 1.9m deaths and 3.7m cases annually. Cancer-related deaths are projected to exceed 13m by 2030, with abdominal organs hosting most cancer incidents. Although popular, conventional modalities are nonetheless associated with major clinical challenges such as non-specificity, side effects, and drug tolerance, which impede further developments. In recent years, non-invasive, controllable, minimal side effects, and localized nano-scale drug-based therapies have been developed. This treatment deploys nanocarriers (NCs) to the location of the targeted cancer tumors, and upon activation, they release chemotherapeutic drugs. However, there are concerns over the safety of this strategy due to lack of biodegradation, potential toxicity, poor bioavailability, and limitations associated with the drug activation protocols.
The main goal of the LCT project is to overcome these challenges in an original and innovative manner by developing nanocarriers that are nontoxic, biocompatible, biodegradable, and can be combined with a well-known treatment modality (e.g. a precise and effective radiation treatment). The proposed work will be approached from theoretical, numerical, and experimental perspectives based on the applicants and host laboratorys expertise. The training program is exhaustive and will allow the applicant to grow as an independent researcher. The proposed research will foster further development in this direction, a step that is fundamental in healthcare and for the benefit of society.
The applicant is a Libyan scholar with expertise in the areas of applied mechanics, industrial & medical radiation, materials science, nano-chemistry, and structural engineering. He has been trained in prestigious industrial and academic institutions in Libya, Canada, and Hong Kong. He is applying for a two-year MSCA fellowship to conduct the LCT at NUI Galway. A 4 months secondment at UCD is planned. |
