Nanomedicine: Multifunctional nanoparticles of biodegradable polymers for cancer treatment

Abstract

This PhD thesis carried out proof-of-concept research of cancer nanomedicine with emphasis on the surface functionalized PLGA nanoparticles for controlled and targeted anticancer drug delivery and quantitative control of targeting effects. Functionalized phospholipids and Vitamin E TPGS were employed as coating materials to produce the multifunctional PLGA nanoparticles with improved surface properties and targeted anticancer performance. A strategy to precisely engineering the nanoparticles focusing on quantitatively controlling the surface density of targeting ligands was subsequently developed based on the surface functionalized nanoparticles. By using post-conjugation method, the quantitative control could be realized by adjusting either the ratio of copolymer blend or the amount of targeting ligands in feed when fabricating the nanoparticles. The surface density of targeting ligands was demonstrated to have profound impact on the targeting effect and cancer treatment performance of the nanoparticles in terms of cellular uptake efficiency and cytotoxicity.