With recent support and encouragement from the National Cancer Institute, biologists, engineers, chemists and physicians have been brought together to develop innovative nanotechnology platforms for cancer detection and therapy. Advances in nanoparticle design and targeting have facilitated the delivery of drugs, genes, and imaging molecules to the tumor. A number of preclinical studies have demonstrated that targeted nanoparticles can increase the efficacy of various drugs while minimizing side effects. The use of nanoparticles to image otherwise undectectable tumors will likely influence the therapeutic options for cancer patients. This session will highlight some of the recent advances in how nanomedicine may soon be used to diagnose and treat cancer in man.
Symposium: Cancer Therapeutics and Nanotechnology

Neovascular targeted lipid-coated nanogel cores as versatile drug carriers; Eric A. Murphy, Bharat K. Majeti, Rajesh Mukthavaram, Leo A. Barnes, Wolfgang Wrasidlo, David A. Cheresh. Moores UCSD Cancer Center, La Jolla, CA

Towards next-generation nanoparticles for cancer diagnosis and therapy; Sangeeta N. Bhatia. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Self-assembled and RES-evading nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy; Shuming Nie. Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Multiplexed targeted nanoemulsions for cancer diagnosis and therapy; Samuel Wickline. Washington Univ. School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO,