Investigation into the production of a particle-in-particle system for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by transarterial chemoembolization

McCarry, Patrick Michael (2016). Investigation into the production of a particle-in-particle system for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma by transarterial chemoembolization. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Transarterial Chemoembolization (TACE) is a leading therapy in patients suffering from intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). TACE is a transarterial therapy that involves injection of particles and chemotherapeutic agents to the tumour site. Once administrated, the particles block the blood flow to the tumour while also allowing targeted delivery. Several therapies have proven to increase survival in people suffering from HCC where drug eluting beads (DEBs) have become a frequently used method. Despite their success, DEBs are limited to drugs that interact with the embolizing material’s functional groups. Also, the embolizing beads must be calibrated to a patient’s blood vessel size where smaller sized beads will display faster release rates. In order to overcome these disadvantages, a Particle-in-Particle (PIP) system is proposed. Small microparticles (1 – 3 µm) are to be manufactured to suit a specific drug where they will function as a drug delivery component. These microparticles are then to be encapsulated into larger microparticles (100 – 1000 µm) which will act as an embolizing component of the PIP system. Polymers and particle production methods are to be investigated in order to produce a PIP system capable of targeted delivery of a wider class of drugs with identical release rates.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):