Size Control of Nanocarriers for Enhanced Tumor Targeting

Cancer is the second leading cause of death within the United States. A common form of treatment is the use of chemotherapies that indiscriminately target cells within the body. The tumor microenvironment provides unique barriers to effective delivery of therapy throughout the tumor tissue. Solid tumor tissue experiences decreased perfusion and lymphatic drainage that produce an effect termed enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) that is commonly referred to as passive targeting. Many nanocarriers currently take advantage of this targeting strategy, with the size of nanocarrier a significant factor in determining its effectiveness. Nanocarriers have proven useful in decreasing the toxicity of chemotherapeutics as well as increasing efficacy. This research aims to characterize the effect of nanoparticle size on uptake within solid tumor tissues. The understanding gained can be translated to many other disease states in which size is a key factor in the development of a treatment.