Supervisor:
Program of Study:
Postdoctoral Fellow, Microbiology and Immunology
Project Title:
Development of immune-engineered nanoparticles for solid tumor therapy
Research Summary:
Cancer is a challenging disease, and most of the treatment ultimately fails. Although conventional treatments such as surgery, anticancer drugs, and radiation are helpful to some extent, they show severe side effects, and also the chance of cancer returning is high. Currently, my research includes the development of very small spherical particles that can convert light energy to heat energy for the cancer treatment. These very small particles, also known as nanoparticles, absorb light in the near-infrared region (NIR, 700-1100 nm) of the light, which is transparent for most of our biological fluids. When these nanoparticles are injected inside the tumor, and NIR light is shined on the surface of the tumor. These particles only absorb the light and release the heat to nearby cancer cells, which kills them. Along with releasing the heat, these nanoparticles will also release immunity modulators which will help in activating the body’s immunity against tumor. The combination of heat and immune response has been known to have a synergistic effect. It helps in the better treatment of cancer that has even been spread to other body organs.
Location:
Dalhousie University