Quantification of nanoparticle interactions with the Nanoparticle Clearance System

Abstract

The goal of nanomedicine is to target therapeutic and diagnostic agents to target tissues. However, there are multiple physiological barriers which prevent nanoparticles from reaching the desired destination in the body. Progress has been made in rationally designing nanoparticles to evade physiological barriers and optimize biodistribution, but many still fail to demonstrate significant efficacy to attain clinical approval and use. Contributing to this problem is a lack of quantitative reporting and analysis of nanoparticle interactions with nanoparticle-clearing physiological compartments, which we call the Nanoparticle Clearance System (NCS). In this master’s thesis, we quantify nanoparticle-NCS interactions through a literature review, a quantitative literature survey, preparation of liposomal nanoparticle formulations, and a planned experiment for future research. We identify certain promising techniques to evade the NCS such as the saturation strategy, and conclude that thorough quantitative reporting for novel nanoparticle formulations and the combination of nanomedicine with other fields of knowledge will lead to advances in the efficacy and safety of nanotherapeutics.