A12
2120
TARGETING THE SOURCE: THE VALUE OF BIODEGRADABLE
NANOPARTICLES FOR CANCER TREATMENT
Tyler Alan (tra17@pitt.edu), Justin Blazer (jtb68@pitt.edu)
importance of scientists and engineers working to develop
new methods of treating this terrible disease. The
development of successful new cancer treatments will not
only save families the great emotional and economic
hardship that cancer can bring upon them, but also save
society billions of dollars that are lost each year when people
in the prime of their careers are incapacitated by cancer.
One of the promising new technologies for cancer
treatment is the use of biodegradable nanoparticles. These
particles directly target cancer cells and deliver cancer
fighting drugs or imaging agents directly to the affected
area. These molecules make use of abnormalities in cancer
tissue to successfully accumulate and linger in cancer tumors
and greatly increase the efficiency of therapeutic agents. The
use of biodegradable nanoparticles promises to make both
the treatment and imaging of tumors more effective, while
minimizing harm to surrounding healthy cells.
Biodegradable nanoparticles are tiny particles that consist
of a desired agent that is encapsulated on or within a
biodegradable polymer, the polymer protects the agent and
aids in the delivery and controlled release of the agent. The
agent encapsulated on or within the nanoparticle can be
either a specific gene, cancer-fighting drug which can fight
the tumor cells, or a chemical that aids in the effective
imaging of tumors. The protective biodegradable polymer
can be broken down by the body into its individual monomer
units because they are of a type found in the body naturally
due to metabolic processes. The microscopic size of
nanoparticles is beneficial because it allows them to be taken
up directly into cells through endocytosis (the process by
which cells absorb molecules by engulfing them). All of the
properties mentioned above will allow biodegradable
nanoparticles to improve current cancer treatment.
PLGA, Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), is a specific type of
biodegradable polymer that is Federal Drug Administration
(FDA) approved and commonly used in the synthesis of
biodegradable nanoparticles. It is a versatile polymer that
can be used to encapsulate various agents that aid in cancer
treatment. The versatility of PLGA allows it to serve as a
perfect example from which various characteristics and
properties of biodegradable nanoparticles can be explored.
As with all engineering and medical applications, there are
ethical codes that must be followed while conducting
research to ensure the safety of patients who may eventually
receive treatment with biodegradable nanoparticles.
Biodegradable nanoparticles show great promise for the
treatment of cancer. They will allow tumors to be effectively
targeted, treated, and imaged while minimizing the harmful
side effects to healthy cells. Engineers must pursue this
Abstract - Humanity faces a wide variety of diseases and
physical ailments. These conditions can be treated much
more effectively if medications are delivered to specific
regions of the body. Biodegradable nanoparticles will make
this possible. These particles show great promise in creating
more effective methods of treating cancer. One of the main
problems with current chemotherapy treatment is that it
damages the patient’s healthy cells along with the cancer
cells. This collateral damage causes many of the adverse
side effects that make cancer treatment such a painful
process for patients. Biodegradable nanoparticles can be
designed to specifically target the cancer cells while
minimizing harm to healthy cells making them an attractive
option for future cancer treatment. The application of these
particles to tumor imaging will be described by outlining the
design features that allow them to be attracted by tumors
and clearly imaged. The ethical codes that must be followed
as this technology is pursued will be noted and discussed.
This conference paper will describe in detail the new
technology associated with the use of biodegradable
nanoparticles for the targeted delivery and controlled
release of chemotherapy drugs as well as its application to
tumor imaging. The significance of the technology, ethical
concerns, and the current research and development being
conducted on biodegradable nanoparticles for cancer
treatment will be outlined.
Key Words – Biodegradable nanoparticles, Cancer,
Chemotherapy, PLGA, Ethics, Tumor imaging
THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER
For the past 30 years technological breakthroughs have
inundated society. They have made their way into every
aspect of our lives changing how we operate on a day-to-day
basis. The most important breakthroughs have occurred in
the medical field and transformed healthcare into an industry
that operates with incredible precision and efficiency.
Countless lives have been saved or made better by these
technological advances. Despite these breakthroughs, the
healthcare industry still faces many challenges in the
treatment of certain diseases, specifically the treatment of
cancer. Currently, a cancer diagnosis remains synonymous
with a painful period of treatment that may inevitably lead to
one’s death. In America approximately 1500 people die from
cancer and over 3400 are diagnosed daily. During 2010
cancer cost society an estimated $263.8 billion between
medical expenses and lost potential earnings due to missed
work and early death [1]. These facts emphasize the
University of Pittsburgh
Swanson School of Engineering
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February 10, 2012
Tyler Alan
Justin Blazer
technology due to the potential impact it has for the millions
of individuals who suffer from cancer.
nanoparticles are created with specific surface modifications
that allow them to pass through the body without being
tagged as foreign by the immune system and reach the
cancer tumors. Polymers are typically added to the surface
of the molecules in order to make them hydrophilic and to
allow them to avoid being tagged as foreign and attacked
[4]. Once the immune system is bypassed, the tiny size of
these molecules allows them to travel through organ
membranes and be taken up by cancer cells through
endocytosis. Molecules of larger size cannot achieve similar
maneuverability through various body tissues [3]. This is a
major benefit of nanoparticles because they can protect the
therapeutic agent all the way until it is delivered to the
tumor. Other methods of treatment are not be able to protect
the agent, which results in some of the agent not reaching
the source, or acting on healthy cells as well as the tumor
cells.
Once inside of the tumor cells, the biodegradable
polymer is broken down and the encapsulated agent is
released over a controlled period of time. The rate of release
is determined by the composition and molecular properties
of the nanoparticle. The ratio of drug to carrier, molecular
weight, and the ratio of monomer units of the polymer all
affect the rate of release. Variances in composition can allow
the drug to be released over a period of several days, or
several weeks. In the case of PLGA, a 50:50 ratio of lactic to
glycolic acid yields the fastest drug release because at this
ratio the polymer is hydrolyzed quickest once at the target.
The ability of biodegradable nanoparticles to be designed to
release drugs at optimum rates is extremely valuable, and is
a defining characteristic of the biodegradable nanoparticles.
This trait will allow for drug concentrations to be maintained
at the proper level so that treatment is effective and adverse
side effects are minimized.
BENEFITS OF BIODEGRADABLE
NANOPARTICLES FOR D RUG DELIVERY
Currently the primary methods of cancer treatment are
surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment. All of these
which side effects such as pain, fatigue, nausea, anemia, and
second-hand cancer later in life [2]. These side effects can be
minimized, and in some cases eliminated, through the use of
biodegradable nanoparticles due to their ability to treat
cancer directly at its source while leaving healthy cells
relatively undisturbed. Current advances in research and
clinical applications of PLGA-based nanotechnology notes
this issue and also states another consequence of
chemotherapeutic agents, “Chemotherapeutic agents also
damage healthy tissues, leading to systemic toxicity and
adverse effects that greatly limit the maximal allowable dose
of anticancer drugs and, thus, restricts their therapeutic
efficacy [3].” Biodegradable nanoparticles have the potential
to greatly increase the effect of both chemotherapeutic and
other cancer fighting agents by delivering them directly to
tumors. Delivering the agents directly to the tumor will
reduce side effects and allow the prescription of larger doses
than previously possible. The ability to prescribe larger
doses of therapeutic agents could greatly increase the
effectiveness with which cancer tumors can be treated. In
addition to their ability to allow the delivery of anticancer
agents in larger doses, biodegradable nanoparticles can be
constructed to release the encapsulated drug at a desired rate.
By controlling the rate at which the drugs are released
cancer therapy can be improved by maintaining consistent
amounts of cancer fighting drugs in tumors to maximize the
effect of the therapy. Controlled release can also reduce the
frequency at which therapeutic injections need to be
delivered. Controlled release will make treatment more
pleasant for patients because they will not need to receive as
many injections, and will also maintain consistent drug
concentrations in the tumors so that they are constantly
combatted between a patients’ appointments.
Cell specific targeting and accumulation
Biodegradable nanoparticles are designed with moieties,
which target and cause the molecules to be attracted to
receptors on cancer cells. A moiety is a functional group of a
molecule. Target moieties take advantage of the fact that
tumor targeting “can be enhanced by associating the drugs
with molecules that bind to antigens or receptors that are
either uniquely expressed or overexpressed on target cells
compared with normal tissues [3].” Target moieties allow
biodegradable nanoparticles to take advantage of the
differences in receptors and antigens in cancer cells to turn
the molecules into miniature “homing missiles.” Target
moieties direct the biodegradable nanoparticles to the tumors
and allow them to accumulate in much higher concentrations
in the tumor tissue than in healthy tissue [4]. This
accumulation is crucial due to nanoparticles small size and
individual ability to carry only small amounts of the desired
agent. Another key to biodegradable nanoparticles success is
their ability to take advantage of the chaotic and
disorganized blood vessel structure inside of tumors. Unlike
Tricking the Immune System to Reach the Tumors and
Deliver the Payload
The body’s immune system is designed to attack particles
with similar surface properties to those of biodegradable
nanoparticles. Without modification, the surfaces of
nanoparticles are negatively charged and hydrophobic.
Macrophages, white blood cells within tissues that digest
debris and pathogens, see particles of this type as foreign
and thus eliminate them through phagocytosis (phagocytosis
is the process by which cells engulf and digest particles, in
this case particles tagged as foreign). In order to prevent
phagocytosis by the macrophages, biodegradable
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Justin Blazer
normal tissues with organized, logical vascular structure,
cancer tumors have illogical, randomly branched, dilated
vascular structure. The excess dilation of tumor vessels
allows them to be infiltrated readily by nanoparticles
because the dilation increases their permeability. Once the
nanoparticles have entered the tumor vessels they are cleared
much slower than they would be by normal cells due to the
chaotic and disorganized vascular structure [3]. This gives
the nanoparticles a longer time frame to release their drug
load, or increase the ability for the tumor to be effectively
imaged.
acids that occur naturally in the body due to metabolic
processes and the body can easily eliminate them through
the Krebs cycle.
The Synthesis PGLA based Biodegradable Nanoparticles
PGLA based nanoparticles are commonly synthesized using
the emulsion/solvent evaporation technique. The emulsion
technique of polymerization involves making an aqueous
solution of the monomer units of the polymer and adding
initiator molecules, which cause monomer units to attach to
one another as they collide in the solution. The solvent can
then be evaporated leaving behind the nanoparticles. The
size of the nanoparticles is influenced by temperature,
stirring rate, and presence and concentration of various
chemicals during the solvent evaporation process. Typically
the molecules range in size from about 10 to 100nm. Though
the average size of the particles can be influenced, there are
still differences in particle size due to random variation.
THE CREATION OF EFFECTIVE PGLA BASED
BIODEGRADABLE NANOPARTICLES
The production of biodegradable nanoparticles is a complex
process consisting of several steps. A large part of the
hindrance in their development and release for widespread
public use is the difficulty in manufacturing them. There is a
vast array of nanoparticles that are currently being
researched but the most common biodegradable
nanoparticles are based off of a PLGA polymer. Poly(lacticco-glycolic acid) is currently FDA approved for use on
humans, and is an incredibly versatile molecule which shows
promise in all areas of cancer treatment from diagnostic
imaging to drug delivery.
FIGURE 1
IMAGE SHOWING THE SIZE OF PLGA BASED NANOPARTICLES [3]
Figure 1 shows the variation of size in a batch of PLGA
based nanoparticles. The emulsion/solvent evaporation
method serves as an effective means of combining drugs
with the base polymer to create a useful biodegradable
nanoparticle [4].
The two different methods of emulsion that are used to
create nanoparticles are single and double emulsion. The
single emulsion process is best for encapsulating drugs that
are insoluble in water. In the single emulsion process PGLA
is first dissolved in a volatile organic solvent with the
desired drug agent. This mixture is then added to water and
the emulsion process is conducted under the desired
temperature and stirring conditions. After the emulsion
process the solvent and water are removed either by
evaporation or extraction. The final mixture is then
centrifuged or filtered to remove the nanoparticles that are
desired for use [3].
The double emulsion process is best suited for
encapsulating drugs that are hydrophilic. While single
emulsion was a water-in-oil process, double emulsion is a
water-in-oil-in-water process. In this process an aqueous
FIGURE 2
FIGURE SHOWING THE BASIC CHEMICAL STRUCTURE OF
THE BIODEGRADABLE PLGA POLYMER [5]
PLGA is a biodegradable polymer made up of monomer
units of lactic and glycolic acid. Figure 2 shows the basic
chemical structure of a small section of a PLGA polymer.
There is a hydroxyl group on the left side of the molecule in
the diagram and a lone hydrogen on the right side. These are
the sites where other monomer units can attach to the PLGA
molecule by dehydration synthesis. When dehydration
synthesis occurs the hydroxyl group and lone hydrogen are
replaced by a peptide bond and a water molecule is given
off. This method of bonding between molecules is useful in
biodegradable nanoparticles because it can be reversed in the
body to break down the polymer. The body adds a water
molecule to the bonding site, which breaks the peptide bond
and hydrolyzes the polymer into its monomer units once it
has reached the target tumor. Both of the monomer units are
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Justin Blazer
solution of the desired drug is emulsified in an oil based
organic solution that contains the desired polymer. This
water and oil emulsion is then again emulsified in another
water-based solution containing a stabilizing agent. This
makes double emulsion a water-in-oil in water process.
Beyond this step double emulsion is identical to the single
emulsion process in the solvent removal and particle
retrieval steps [6].
quantum dots can be safely used without poisoning the
human body. Production methods have been developed that
prepare-folate decorated nanoparticles of biodegradable
polymers, such as PLGA, for quantum dot formulation. This
recent research has lead to improvements in targeted and
sustained imaging. These developments will allow tumors to
be imaged more effectively because the quantum dots will
accumulate in the tumors due to their attractive properties
and allow them to clearly show up in images. This will lead
to an increase in the number of cancer diagnoses in the early
stages.
BIODEGRADABLE NANOPARTICLES
APPLICATION TO TUMOR IMAGING
The first step in the fight against cancer is tumor detection.
Without this step, cancer cannot be treated at all and will
likely go unnoticed until the patient begins to feel physical
symptoms. Once the patient feels these symptoms, the
cancer may be to far along in its development to be
effectively treated. The most important aspect of detection is
early detection. The earlier that cancer is detected the greater
a patient’s chances are for surviving the disease. If cancer is
diagnosed at an early stage, by regular precautionary
screenings, the 5-year survival rate for cancer could increase
to 95% [7]. Considering that the current 5-year survival rate
is only 68%, this fact demonstrates the impact that
discovering cancer tumors in their early stages has on a
patient’s chances of survival. When the tumor is found after
it has metastasized, current treatment methods involve
infusions of toxic chemicals, and blasts of radiation. These
treatments are detrimental to the physical health of the
individual and cause cancer treatment to be incredibly
strenuous. When cancer is found in the late stages, the
prognosis is typically just as miserable as the treatment
experience [8]. Early detection is extremely important for
treatment to be less arduous and more successful. It greatly
increases the probability that patients will avoid reaching the
fourth stage of the cancer cycle. Figure 3 gives a graphical
representation of how large of an impact early detection of
cancer has on patients; survival rates. If cancer is found in
stage one the 5-year survival rate is above 50% for most
types of cancers and is nearly 90% for other types. After this
stage the survival rate drops continually as the stages
increase.
Biodegradable nanoparticles can be used in order to
detect cancer cells in the earlier stages of cancer. One way
that biodegradable nanoparticles are able to improve the
imaging of cancer cells involves the use of quantum dots.
Quantum dots are widely studied luminescence probes that
have many advantages in the modern day field of medical
imaging. They have beneficial optical and chemical
properties that include tunable emissions, broad excitation
spectra, high quantum yield of fluorescence, strong
brightness, photostability, and high resistance to
photobleaching. Recent research has yielded fantastic results
that that has ridden quantum dots of the toxic features that
previously plagued their reputation. The newly developed
FIGURE 3
THIS CHART DISPLAYS THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY
DETECTION [7]
Developing Biodegradable Nanoparticles with Quantum
Dots
With the knowledge that quantum dots have the potential to
detect cancer more effectively at early stages when
combined with biodegradable nanoparticles, researchers
have begun to develop numerous methods of creating such
particles. One method begins with the synthesis of TPGSCOOH, TPGS being (D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol
1000 succinate), and folate-NH2. This is used to help in the
formulation of quantum dot loaded nanoparticles with folate
decoration and free quantum dots. The newly formulated
particles undergo a series of technical steps, including
sonication, (sonification is a process that uses sound waves
to evenly disperse nanoparticles in solution) and eventually
become mercaptoaceric acid coated quantum dots. The
aforementioned process created particles that after testing
confirmed the original objective of increasing specificity and
sensitivity of quantum dots image by labeling various cancer
cells with folate receptors on the surface. The key to the
success of these particles is the folate receptors on the
surface of the cancer cells which the biodegradable
nanoparticles are designed to be attracted to. This allows
these particles to accumulate around the tumor cells so they
can be effectively imaged.
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Justin Blazer
What This Means For The Fight Against Cancer
Potential Uses In Ultrasound Imaging
It is clear that biodegradable nanoparticles are capable of
being produced so that they can not only detect cancer cells,
but also so that they are capable of enhancing the medical
images of the cancer cells they target. Both of these
properties of biodegradable nanoparticles can drastically
change the way in which cancer is treated. Biodegradable
nanoparticles will increase the frequency of cancer detection
in its earliest stage. Due to biodegradable nanoparticles’
ability to be designed with specific surface modifications,
they can be made to specifically target the cells in cancer
tumors. When large concentrations of the nanoparticles
carrying imaging agents reach the tumors that they are made
to detect it will be easier for doctors to notice the tumors in
medical images due to the high concentrations of imaging
agents that they will deliver to the tumor sites. This
enhanced imaging will increase the rate of early detection,
and therefore also increase the chances of survival for
millions of future cancer patients. The clear results of
research on the use of biodegradable nanoparticles to
improve cancer imaging further shows the great impact that
these particles can have on cancer treatment as a whole.
Early detection is extremely important in the fight against
cancer. The further development of biodegradable
nanoparticles can vastly increase the rate at which cancer is
discovered in its early stages. The faster that cancer can be
treated, the greater a patient’s chances of survival are.
Biodegradable nanoparticles give cancer patients the upper
hand in the fight against the disease.
One of the most well-known and publicized forms of cancer
today is breast cancer. It affects millions of women every
year. For this reason breast cancer research receives
incredible financial support from groups like the Susan G.
Komen for the Cure foundation. When conducting
precautionary scans for Breast Cancer it is very common for
doctors to use ultrasound imaging. In recent studies it has
been shown that ultrasound imaging along with
mammography still prove to be insufficient in detecting
breast cancer in its earliest stages [9]. Early detection is a
crucial element in the fight against cancer. If ultrasound
imaging can be improved to increase the ability for doctors
to detect breast cancer earlier in its development and with
greater success, the probability of surviving breast cancer
can be significantly increased.
Biodegradable nanoparticles are the solution to increasing
early detection with ultrasound imaging. Research has
shown them to be capable of enhancing the images produced
by ultrasound. They accomplish this by targeting tumors,
and delivering chemicals that are easily detected by
ultrasound scanners to them. Figure 4 displays the extent to
which nanoparticles are capable of enhancing an ultrasound
image so that target of the imaging can be seen more clearly.
This will reduce the chance of a cancer tumor being over
looked in an image. The particle on the left of Figure 4 could
easily be overlooked, as it is not very bright and could easily
blend in with other structures within the body.
ETHICAL CONCERNS W ITH THIS RESEARCH
Biodegradable nanoparticles are a promising technology for
the future and have the potential to completely transform the
healthcare industry with regards to cancer treatment.
Researchers from all parts of the world have begun research
to show the capabilities of biodegradable nanoparticles. To
date great advances have been made to bring this technology
closer to the hospital room, but the technology is still
incomplete. There isn’t yet a significant amount of research
stating that biodegradable nanoparticles are ready for use in
human subjects. This is obviously the most important step,
and a step that brings about the ethical concerns associated
with biodegradable nanoparticles. The American Institute of
Chemical Engineers (AIChE) provides a list of ethical codes
that should be followed by their members and chemical
engineers in general. One of these goals states that members
should “hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the
public and protect the environment in the performance of
their professional duties [11].” Research and development
of biodegradable nanoparticles is directly linked to this
stated code. Chemical engineers should pursue nanoparticle
technology because the technology has the potential to
improve the health of the public at large, as is shown in the
imaging section. Cancer is not going to go away on its own,
FIGURE 4
COMPARING IMAGING WITHOUT NANOPARTICLES TO IMAGING
WITH NANOPARTICLES [10]
Both of the samples that are shown contain the same
number and concentration of cells, and were deposited on
the same piece of gel. Figure 4 displays the obvious
difference between the untreated and nanoparticle-treated
samples after ultrasound viewing. These nanoparticles were
produced with polylactic acid, and then had Anti-Her2
monoclonal antibody Herceptin covalently linked to the
polylactic acid nanoparticle using a carbodiimide technique.
This altered the surface of the particle accounts for the
difference in imaging results. This is concrete evidence that
polymeric nanoparticle agents are capable of targeting
specific cells, and marking them so that they display more
clearly in ultrasound images.
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Tyler Alan
Justin Blazer
and if chemical engineers want to truly hold paramount the
health and safety of the public then they must pursue
nanoparticle technology. This said, it is also essential that
this technology is not rushed into use. If biodegradable
nanoparticles are used in humans prematurely and fail, the
consequences could be great. For example, patients could be
severely harmed if large doses of chemotherapeutic drugs
are administered via encapsulation in nanoparticles and the
nanoparticles fail. This situation may occur if a doctor
prescribes larger doses of drugs than previously used for
treatment due to biodegradable nanoparticles presumed
ability to deliver the drugs to tumors while leaving healthy
cells unharmed. If the nanoparticles fail and the drug is
released into healthy cells the patient could suffer great
physical harm. Engineers must ensure that this product is
completely ready before it is released to the public due to the
terrible outcome that could result if the product fails.
Another equally important code of ethics that chemical
engineers must follow states that they must ‘perform
professional services only in areas of competence [11].”
The meaning of this code applies to the pursuit of
nanoparticle technology in a different way than the previous
code. As was mentioned earlier, some of the original
materials used in the creation of biodegradable nanoparticles
are toxic before they undergo the development and synthesis
processes. Engineers must be competent when developing
these nanoparticles for use on human subjects because an
error in the development process can result in long-term side
effects, or even death in human subjects. Additionally, the
biodegradable particles that are developed must actually be
biodegradable and parts must be able to be easily eliminated
from the body. This code is extremely important for
engineers to follow because when engineers make mistakes,
the consequences are often severe and involve injury or
death. Engineering applications, such as the development of
biodegradable nanoparticles, that are applied directly within
the human body, must be performed by engineers that know
exactly what they are doing so that people are not harmed.
It is of the utmost importance that engineers continuously
pursue this technology. The potential to save the lives of
millions of current and future cancer patients makes it
unethical to put off the research and development of
biodegradable nanoparticles. Only the most competent
researchers and engineers should focus on this technology.
Incompetence can lead to faulty particles that could ruin
millions of lives instead of saving them. The AIChE created
a code of ethics with a greater understanding of how the
engineering world operates and how society is affected by
the work of engineers. It is the ethical responsibility of
engineers to heed these codes and continue to develop new
technologies that will solve the world’s many problems.
Applications such as the development of biodegradable
nanoparticles that can directly save lives and reduce the
immense hardship the cancer places on society are among
the most noble. If engineers follow all applicable ethical
codes when pursuing this technology, they can have a
profound impact on the treatment of cancer.
HOPE FOR THE FUTURE
Thanks to many technological advances in the treatment of
cancer, it is no longer viewed as a death sentence as it once
was.
Current
research
concerning
biodegradable
nanoparticles has great potential to increase the survival rate
of cancer even further in the future. Biodegradable
nanoparticles application to cancer treatment could
drastically increase the survival rate of those diagnosed with
cancer and also make the treatment process more bearable
for cancer patients. Biodegradable nanoparticles’ ability to
navigate around the immune system and deliver drugs
directly to tumors can allow them to be an incredibly
effective means of treating cancer in the future. No other
current method of drug delivery is able to direct the drug to
the proper location in the body and protect it until it reaches
the target like biodegradable nanoparticles can. Their
production is an intricate process that relies on complex
chemistry. Hopefully this production process will soon be
mastered so these nanoparticles can be mass-produced and
used to better the process of cancer treatment.
In addition to their drug delivery capabilities, their ability
to locate specific cancer cells is just as important in the
initial diagnosis of cancer. One of the best factors for beating
cancer is early detection. Biodegradable nanoparticles can be
equipped with materials that increase the resolution of
medical scanning devices. This enhanced imaging through
the use of biodegradable nanoparticles will result in an
increase in early cancer detection, which will in turn
increase the survival rate among patients. Biodegradable
nanoparticles should be continuously researched and
engineered for years to come due to their cancer fighting
abilities. Based on the incredible extent of their current
capabilities, the future research on biodegradable
nanoparticles and their use for the treatment of cancer will
have a profound impact on the detection and treatment of
cancer. Biodegradable nanoparticle technology brings
humanity one-step closer to the long-term goal of a totally
effective cure for cancer.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
7
Tyler Alan
Justin Blazer
We would like to thank our writing instructor Barbara
Edelman for her help with focusing our topic and editing
our conference paper. We would also like to thank our
conference co-chair Katie Brown for her suggestions and
advice that helped us to refine our paper.
8