STTR Phase I: Nanoshell-Based Cancer Therapy

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This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I will develop a novel, nanotechnology-based cancer therapy. This therapy, nanoshell-based thermal ablation (NBTA), holds the promise as a significant new therapeutic tool for the treatment of otherwise inoperable cancers or neoplasms where surgery is accompanied by a high probability of morbidity or mortality. The therapy will utilize proprietary nanoshells to convert externally applied near-infrared (nIR) light into localized heat to destroy targeted cancer cells, minimizing damage to surrounding tissue and avoiding the long-term effects of radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Specific goals of this STTR project include (i) understanding biodistribution and clearance of nanoshells, (ii) understanding tumor uptake of nanoshells, and (iii) assessment of the survival time of animals with cancers that have been treated with nanoshells.The commercial application of this project will be in cancer therapy. NBTA will lead to an FDA regulated device comprised of nanoshells and a light delivery system (laser). The company will partner with a laser manufacturer, and with a marketing and sales partner, for distribution of the product.