Development of Microparticles for Enhanced Embolization Therapies

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The development of novel biomaterials for medical applications is a challenge that requires advanced manufacturing techniques. For example, specialized microparticles have the potential to substantially improve the treatment of diseases such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Microparticles enable localized therapies such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) to be used in cases where the disease has been diagnosed at an advanced stage and surgical treatment is not possible. In TACE therapy, which is a minimally-invasive alternative to surgery, microparticles are utilized as embolic agents. The particles prevent blood flow to tumors and can also function as a targeted drug delivery system, when preloaded with a suitable drug. The proposed research is in collaboration with ABK Biomedical Inc., a dynamic medical device start-up company based in Nova Scotia. They are currently pursuing the development of embolic agents to treat cancers such as HCC. ABK's products are based on a novel radiopaque embolic bead platform that will enable clinicians to visually monitor the embolic site both during and post-procedure. They are seeking to extend their range of TACE products by developing advanced manufacturing techniques for the following novel biomaterials: (1) polymer-coated glass embolic microspheres to facilitate drug-delivery and (2) polymer-blend embolic microspheres. Dr. Brooks' research team at Dalhousie University will investigate advanced manufacturing techniques for the development of a suitable polymer-coating for the glass microspheres and new polymer-blends for synthesizing radiopaque embolic microspheres.