Temperature-Sensitive Nanoparticles for Controlled Drug Delivery

Introduction

Traditional chemotherapy treatment relies on the use of high levels of potent chemotherapeutic drugs administered throughout the body. These drugs, when administered throughout the body, can lead to dangerous side effects and even death in patients with weakened immune systems or heart conditions. Controlled drug delivery has the ability to revolutionize chemotherapy treatment by spatially and temporally controlling the release of drugs only in the areas where treatment is required. By localizing and controlling the drug's release, patients undergoing chemotherapy will be able to receive lower overall doses, which will result in decreased negative side effects and a higher quality of life.

Invention Description

This technology encompasses a novel device and method for in vivo drug delivery, which utilizes temperature-sensitive nanoparticle devices that can be both monitored and controlled from outside the patient's body. Specifically, the nanoparticles are able to release the drug that they contain by swelling in response to an increase in temperature. A harmless laser that can easily pass through the body is used to selectively heat the nanoparticles and cause swelling. This swelling of the particle then allows the releases of a drug that has been preloaded inside of the nanoparticle device. By using a laser for activation, rather than simply relying on internal signals from the body, the particles can be controlled and monitored externally by a doctor or other trained medical care professional. This allows for spatial and temporal control over the drug's release and the disease treatment regime.

Benefits

• Lower systemic doses of potent therapeutic drugs
• Fewer side effects
• High patient compliance
• Improved quality of life for patients
• Course of therapy can be modified as needed

Features

• Release of drugs is localized
• Drug delivery can be controlled outside the patient’s body
• Employs a laser

Market Potential/Applications

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 1.4 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2005 in the U.S. alone. A recent report from Knowledge Source Inc. estimates that the U.S. cancer therapeutics market will reach $30 billion by the year 2010. Controlled drug delivery of chemotherapeutics is poised to capture a major portion of this market.

IP Status

One U.S. Patent Application filed

UT Researcher

Nicholas A. Peppas, Ph. D., Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin

Contact:

University os texas,
Austin, USA
Website : www.otc.utexas.edu