Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering

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Work by the faculty and students of the Department of Chemical Engineering

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Predicting Calcein Release from Ultrasound-Targeted Liposomes: A Comparative Analysis of Random Forest and Support Vector Machine
(Sage, 2024) Shomope, Ibrahim; Percival, Kelly M.; Abdel-Jabbar, Nabil; Husseini, Ghaleb
The type of algorithm employed to predict drug release from liposomes plays an important role in affecting the accuracy. In recent years, Machine Learning (ML) has shown potential for modeling complex drug delivery systems and predicting drug release dynamics with a greater degree of precision. In this regard, Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) are two ML algorithms that have been extensively applied in various biomedical and drug delivery contexts. Yet, direct comparisons of their predictive accuracy in modeling ultrasound-triggered drug release from liposomes remain limited. Existing studies predominantly focus on drug release under static conditions or with limited external stimuli rather than the dynamic, nonlinear responses observed under ultrasound exposure.Objective: This study presents a comparative analysis of RF and SVM for predicting calcein release from ultrasound-triggered, targeted liposomes under varied low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS) power densities (6.2, 9, and 10 mW/cm²). Methods: Liposomes loaded with calcein and targeted with seven different moieties (cRGD, estrone, folate, Herceptin, hyaluronic acid, lactobionic acid, and transferrin) were synthesized using the thin-film hydration method. The liposomes were characterized using Dynamic Light Scattering and Bicinchoninic Acid assays. Extensive data collection and preprocessing were performed. RF and SVM models were trained and evaluated using mean absolute error (MAE), mean squared error (MSE), coefficient of determination (R²), and the a20 index as performance metrics. Results: RF consistently outperformed SVM, achieving R² scores above 0.96 across all power densities, particularly excelling at higher power densities and indicating a strong correlation with the actual data. Conclusion: RF outperforms SVM in drug release prediction, though both show strengths and apply based on specific prediction needs.
Review of Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Properties, Shapes, Cellular Uptake, Targeting, Release Mechanisms and Applications in Drug Delivery and Therapy
(MDPI, 2024-10-16) Georgeous, Joel; AlSawaftah, Nour; Abuwatfa, Waad; Husseini, Ghaleb
The remarkable versatility of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) makes them innovative agents across various fields, including drug delivery, biosensing, catalysis, bioimaging, and vaccine development. This paper provides a detailed review of the important role of AuNPs in drug delivery and therapeutics. We begin by exploring traditional drug delivery systems (DDS), highlighting the role of nanoparticles in revolutionizing drug delivery techniques. We then describe the unique and intriguing properties of AuNPs that make them exceptional for drug delivery. Their shapes, functionalization, drug-loading bonds, targeting mechanisms, release mechanisms, therapeutic effects, and cellular uptake methods are discussed, along with relevant examples from the literature. Lastly, we present the drug delivery applications of AuNPs across various medical domains, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, ocular diseases, and diabetes, with a focus on in vitro and in vivo cancer research.
Digital Twins of Biological Systems: A Narrative Review
(IEEE, 2024) Alsalloum, Ghufran A.; AlSawaftah, Nour Majdi; Percival, Kelly M.; Husseini, Ghaleb
The concept of Digital Twins (DTs), software models that mimic the behavior and interactions of physical or conceptual objects within their environments, has gained traction in recent years, particularly in medicine and healthcare research. DTs technology emerges as a pivotal tool in disease modeling, integrating diverse data sources to computationally model dynamic biological systems. This narrative review explores potential DT applications in medicine, from defining DTs and their history to constructing DTs, modeling biologically relevant systems, as well as discussing the benefits, risks, and challenges in their application. The influence of DTs extends beyond healthcare and can revolutionize healthcare management, drug development, clinical trials, and various biomedical research fields.
Drug Release via Ultrasound-Activated Nanocarriers for Cancer Treatment: A Review
(MDPI, 2024-10-27) Al Refaai, Khaled Armouch; AlSawaftah, Nour; Abuwatfa, Waad; Husseini, Ghaleb
Conventional cancer chemotherapy often struggles with safely and effectively delivering anticancer therapeutics to target tissues, frequently leading to dose-limiting toxicity and suboptimal therapeutic outcomes. This has created a need for novel therapies that offer greater efficacy, enhanced safety, and improved toxicological profiles. Nanocarriers are nanosized particles specifically designed to enhance the selectivity and effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs while reducing their toxicity. A subset of drug delivery systems utilizes stimuli-responsive nanocarriers, which enable on-demand drug release, prevent premature release, and offer spatial and temporal control over drug delivery. These stimuli can be internal (such as pH and enzymes) or external (such as ultrasound, magnetic fields, and light). This review focuses on the mechanics of ultrasound-induced drug delivery and the various nanocarriers used in conjunction with ultrasound. It will also provide a comprehensive overview of key aspects related to ultrasound-induced drug delivery, including ultrasound parameters and the biological effects of ultrasound waves.
Advances in Liposomal Nanotechnology: From Concept to Clinics
(Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), 2024-10-28) Senjab, Reem M.; AlSawaftah, Nour; Abuwatfa, Waad H.; Husseini, Ghaleb
Liposomes, spherical phospholipid vesicles with a unique morphology mimicking that of body cells, have emerged as versatile nanoparticles for drug delivery. Their biocompatibility, low cytotoxicity, targeted delivery, and hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics make them stand out over traditional drug delivery systems. Liposomes can be tailored in size, composition, lamellarity, and surface charge, offering a unique level of customization for various applications. Extensive research in liposome technology has led to the development of a wide range of liposomal formulations with enhanced functionalities, such as PEGylated liposomes, ligand-targeted liposomes, and stimuli-responsive liposomes. Beyond their crucial role in cancer treatment, liposomes play a significant role in influenza, COVID-19, cancer, and hepatitis A vaccines. They are also utilized in pain management, fungal treatment, brain targeting, and topical and ocular drug delivery. This review offers insight into the types of liposomes, their composition, preparation methods, characterization methods, and clinical applications. Additionally, it discusses challenges and highlights potential future directions in liposome-based drug delivery.
AI-Aided Robotic Wide-Range Water Quality Monitoring System
(MDPI, 2024-10-31) Awwad, Ameen; Husseini, Ghaleb; Albasha, Lutfi
Waterborne illnesses lead to millions of fatalities worldwide each year, particularly in developing nations. In this paper, we introduce a comprehensive system designed for the autonomous early detection of viral outbreaks transmitted through water to ensure sustainable access to healthy water resources, especially in remote areas. The system utilizes an autonomous water quality monitoring setup consisting of an airborne water sample collector, an autonomous sample processor, and an artificial intelligence-aided microscopic detector for risk assessment. The proposed system replaces the time-consuming conventional monitoring protocol by automating sample collection, sample processing, and pathogen detection. Furthermore, it provides a safer processing method against the spillage of contaminated liquids and potential resultant aerosols during the heat fixation of specimens. A morphological image processing technique of light microscopic images is used to segment images, assisting in selecting a unified appropriate input segment size based on individual blob areas of different bacterial cultures. The dataset included harmful pathogenic bacteria (A. baumanii, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa) and harmless ones found in drinking water and wastewater (E. faecium, L. paracasei, and Micrococcus spp.). The segmented labeled dataset was used to train deep convolutional neural networks to automatically detect pathogens in microscopic images. To minimize prediction error, Bayesian optimization was applied to tune the hyperparameters of the networks’ architecture and training settings. Different convolutional networks were tested in accordance with different required output labels. The neural network used to classify bacterial cultures as harmful or harmless achieved an accuracy of 99.7%. The neural network used to identify the specific types of bacteria achieved a cumulative accuracy of 93.65%.
Deep Learning for the Accurate Prediction of Triggered Drug Delivery
(IEEE, 2024) Husseini, Ghaleb; Sabouni, Rana; Puzyrev, Vladimir; Ghommem, Mehdi
The need to mitigate the adverse effects of chemotherapy has driven the exploration of innovative drug delivery approaches. One emerging trend in cancer treatment is the utilization of Drug Delivery Systems (DDSs), facilitated by nanotechnology. Nanoparticles, ranging from 1 nm to 1000 nm, act as carriers for chemotherapeutic agents, enabling precise drug delivery. The triggered release of these agents is vital for advancing this novel drug delivery system. Our research investigated this multifaceted delivery capability using liposomes and metal organic frameworks as nanocarriers and utilizing all three targeting techniques: passive, active, and triggered. Liposomes are modified using targeting ligands to render them more targeted toward certain cancers. Moieties are conjugated to the surfaces of these nanocarriers to allow for their binding to receptors overexpressed on cancer cells, thus increasing the accumulation of the agent at the tumor site. A novel class of nanocarriers, namely metal organic frameworks, has emerged, showing promise in cancer treatment. Triggering techniques (both intrinsic and extrinsic) can be used to release therapeutic agents from nanoparticles, thus enhancing the efficacy of drug delivery. In this study, we develop a predictive model combining experimental measurements with deep learning techniques. The model accurately predicts drug release from liposomes and MOFs under various conditions, including low- and high-frequency ultrasound (extrinsic triggering), microwave exposure (extrinsic triggering), ultraviolet light exposure (extrinsic triggering), and different pH levels (intrinsic triggering). The deep learning-based predictions significantly outperform linear predictions, proving the utility of advanced computational methods in drug delivery. Our findings demonstrate the potential of these nanocarriers and highlight the efficacy of deep learning models in predicting drug release behavior, paving the way for enhanced cancer treatment strategies.
Flexible PDMS Composite Electrodes with Boronic Acid-Modified Carbon Dots for Surface Electrophysiological Signal Recording
(ACS Publications, 2024) Ali, Amaal Abdulraqeb; Al-Sayah, Mohammad H.; Al-Othman, Amani; Al Nashash, Hasan
Conventional surface electrodes are composed of rigid metals such as Ag/AgCl that are not only harsh to the skin but also irritating if used as wet electrodes. Furthermore, rigid, inflexible surface electrodes can cause patient discomfort when used for long term. To reduce the mechanical mismatch, flexible alternatives to metal electrodes are needed. This study reports the development of highly flexible composite electrodes fabricated from the conductive dopant boronic acid-modified carbon dots embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix. The electrodes were characterized for their structural, electrochemical, and mechanical characteristics and ability to record electrophysiological signals. Furthermore, the composition of these electrodes was varied systematically to obtain the optimal electrochemical and mechanical properties. The best-performing electrode composed of 10% boronic acid-modified carbon dots, 16% glycerol, and 74% polydimethylsiloxane (8:1 elastomer to curing agent) had a smooth surface, a promising conductivity of 9.62×10⁻ᵌ S/cm, an impedance of 964 kΩ at 1 kHz, and a charge storage capacity of 21.4 μC/cm². This electrode had a Young’s modulus (0.0545 MPa), which is compatible with biological tissues’ elasticity. The fabricated electrodes recorded high-quality electrocardiography signals with a promising signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 36.75 dB that is comparable to the commercial Ag/AgCl, which had a SNR of 39.98 dB. A similarly good performance was observed with electromyography. Furthermore, the developed flexible surface electrodes maintained their ability to record high quality ECG and EMG over a period of three weeks.
Finger-operated pumping platform for microfluidic preparation of nanoparticles
(Springer, 2024) Azmeer, Ahmed; Kanan, Ibraheem; Husseini, Ghaleb; Abdelgawad, Mohammad
Microfluidic preparation of nanoparticles (NPs) offers many advantages over traditional bench-top preparation techniques, including better control over particle size and higher uniformity. Although many studies have reported the use of low-cost microfluidic chips for nanoparticle synthesis, the technology is still expensive due to the high cost of the pumps needed to generate the required flows inside microchannels. Here, we present a low-cost finger-operated constant-pressure pumping platform capable of generating pressures as high as 120 kPa using finger-operated pumping caps that can be attached to any pop bottle. The platform costs around $208 and enables the generation of flow rate ratios (FRR) of up to 47:1 for the continuous flow synthesis of NPs. The pump has a resolution of 500 Pa per stroke and exhibits stable pressures for up to a few hours. To show the functionality of the proposed pump, we used it to prepare pegylated liposomes and poly lacticco-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 47 nm to 250 nm with an average polydispersity of 20% using commercially available micromixer chips and in-house made hydrodynamic flow focusing devices. We believe this platform will render microfluidic preparation of NPs accessible to any laboratory with minimal capabilities.
Production of Targeted Estrone Liposomes Using a Herringbone Micromixer
(IEEE, 2024) Agam, Mohamed Abdalla; Paul, Vinod; Abdelgawad, Mohammad; Husseini, Ghaleb
Liposomes are spherical vesicles formed from bilayer lipid membranes that are extensively used in targeted drug delivery as nanocarriers to deliver therapeutic reagents to specific tissues and organs in the body. Recently, we have reported using estrone as an endogenous ligand on doxorubicin-encapsulating liposomes to target estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells. Estrone liposomes were synthesized using the thin-film hydration method, which is a long, arduous, and multistep process. Here, we report using a herringbone micromixer to synthesize estrone liposomes in a simple and rapid manner. A solvent stream containing the lipids was mixed with a stream of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) inside a microchannel integrated with herringbone-shaped ridges that enhanced the mixing of the two streams. The small scale involved enabled rapid solvent exchange and initiated the self-assembly of the lipids to form the required liposomes. The effect of different parameters on liposome size, such as the ratio between the flow rate of the solvent and the buffer solutions (FRR), total flow rate, lipid concentrations, and solvent type, were investigated. Using this commercially available chip, we obtained liposomes with a radius of 66.1 ± 11.2 nm (mean ± standard deviation) and a polydispersity of 22% in less than 15 minutes compared to a total of ∼ 11 hours using conventional techniques. Calcein was encapsulated inside the prepared liposomes as a model drug and was released by applying ultrasound at different powers. The size of the prepared liposomes was stable over a period of one month. Overall, using microfluidics to synthesize estrone liposomes simplified the procedure considerably and improved the reproducibility of the resulting liposomes.
Microwave-Responsive Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for Enhanced In Vitro Controlled Release of Doxorubicin
(MDPI, 2024) Fatima, Syeda Fiza; Sabouni, Rana; Husseini, Ghaleb; Paul, Vinod; Gomaa, Hassan; Radha, Remya
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are excellent candidates for a range of applications because of their numerous advantages, such as high surface area, porosity, and thermal and chemical stability. In this study, microwave (MW) irradiation is used as a novel stimulus in vitro controlled release of Doxorubicin (DOX) from two MOFs, namely Fe-BTC and MIL-53(Al), to enhance drug delivery in cancer therapy. DOX was encapsulated into Fe-BTC and MIL-53(Al) with drug-loading efficiencies of up to 67% for Fe-BTC and 40% for MIL-53(Al). Several characterization tests, including XRD, FTIR, TGA, BET, FE-SEM, and EDX, confirmed both MOF samples’ drug-loading and -release mechanisms. Fe-BTC exhibited a substantial improvement in drug-release efficiency (54%) when exposed to microwave irradiation at pH 7.4 for 50 min, whereas 11% was achieved without the external modality. A similar result was observed at pH 5.3; however, in both cases, the release efficiencies were substantially higher with microwave exposure (40%) than without (6%). In contrast, MIL-53(Al) exhibited greater sensitivity to pH, displaying a higher release rate (66%) after 38 min at pH 5.3 compared to 55% after 50 min at pH 7.4 when subjected to microwave irradiation. These results highlight the potential of both MOFs as highly heat-responsive to thermal stimuli. The results of the MTT assay demonstrated the cell viability across different concentrations of the MOFs after two days of incubation. This suggests that MOFs hold promise as potential candidates for tumor targeting. Additionally, the fact that the cells maintained their viability at different durations of microwave exposure confirms that the latter is a safe modality for triggering drug release from MOFs.
Recent Advancements in Bone Tissue Engineering: Integrating Smart Scaffold Technologies and Bio-Responsive Systems for Enhanced Regeneration
(MDPI, 2024) Percival, Kelly M.; Paul, Vinod; Husseini, Ghaleb
In exploring the challenges of bone repair and regeneration, this review evaluates the potential of bone tissue engineering (BTE) as a viable alternative to traditional methods, such as autografts and allografts. Key developments in biomaterials and scaffold fabrication techniques, such as additive manufacturing and cell and bioactive molecule-laden scaffolds, are discussed, along with the integration of bio-responsive scaffolds, which can respond to physical and chemical stimuli. These advancements collectively aim to mimic the natural microenvironment of bone, thereby enhancing osteogenesis and facilitating the formation of new tissue. Through a comprehensive combination of in vitro and in vivo studies, we scrutinize the biocompatibility, osteoinductivity, and osteoconductivity of these engineered scaffolds, as well as their interactions with critical cellular players in bone healing processes. Findings from scaffold fabrication techniques and bio-responsive scaffolds indicate that incorporating nanostructured materials and bioactive compounds is particularly effective in promoting the recruitment and differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells. The therapeutic potential of these advanced biomaterials in clinical settings is widely recognized and the paper advocates continued research into multi-responsive scaffold systems.
Modeling of brain tumors using in vitro, in vivo, and microfluidic models: A review of the current developments
(Elsevier, 2024) Raju, Richu; AlSawaftah, Nour Majdi; Husseini, Ghaleb
Brain cancers are some of the most complex diseases to treat, despite the numerous advances science has made in cancer chemotherapy and research. One of the key obstacles to identifying potential cures for this disease is the difficulty in emulating the complexity of the brain and the surrounding microenvironment to understand potential therapeutic approaches. This paper discusses some of the most important in vitro, in vivo, and microfluidic brain tumor models that aim to address these challenges.
Enhancing Curcumin’s therapeutic potential in cancer treatment through ultrasound mediated liposomal delivery
(Nature, 2024) Radha, Remya; Paul, Vinod; Anjum, Shabana; Bouakaz, Ayache; Pitt, William G.; Husseini, Ghaleb
Improving the efficacy of chemotherapy remains a key challenge in cancer treatment, considering the low bioavailability, high cytotoxicity, and undesirable side effects of some clinical drugs. Targeted delivery and sustained release of therapeutic drugs to cancer cells can reduce the whole-body cytotoxicity of the agent and deliver a safe localized treatment to the patient. There is growing interest in herbal drugs, such as curcumin, which is highly noted as a promising anti-tumor drug, considering its wide range of bioactivities and therapeutic properties against various tumors. Conversely, the clinical efficacy of curcumin is limited because of poor oral bioavailability, low water solubility, instability in gastrointestinal fluids, and unsuitable pH stability. Drug-delivery colloid vehicles like liposomes and nanoparticles combined with microbubbles and ultrasound-mediated sustained release are currently being explored as effective delivery modes in such cases. This study aimed to synthesize and study the properties of curcumin liposomes (CLs) and optimize the high-frequency ultrasound release and uptake by a human breast cancer cell line (HCC 1954) through in vitro studies of culture viability and cytotoxicity. CLs were effectively prepared with particles sized at 81 ± 2 nm, demonstrating stability and controlled release of curcumin under ultrasound exposure. In vitro studies using HCC1954 cells, the combination of CLs, ultrasound, and Definity microbubbles significantly improved curcumin’s anti-tumor effects, particularly under specific conditions: 15 s of continuous ultrasound at 0.12 W/cm² power density with 0.6 × 10⁷ microbubbles/mL. Furthermore, the study delved into curcumin liposomes’ cytotoxic effects using an Annexin V/PI-based apoptosis assay. The treatment with CLs, particularly in conjunction with ultrasound and microbubbles, amplified cell apoptosis, mainly in the late apoptosis stage, which was attributed to heightened cellular uptake within cancer cells.
Hybrid liposome/metal–organic framework as a promising dual-responsive nanocarriers for anticancer drug delivery
(Elsevier, 2022) Karami, Abdollah; Ahmed, Ahmed H.S; Sabouni, Rana; Husseini, Ghaleb; Al Sharabati, Miral Osama Yacoub; AlSawaftah, Nour Majdi; Paul, Vinod
In this work, liposome-coated iron (III) benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (Fe-BTC) metal–organic framework is examined as a promising pH/Ultrasound dual-responsive nanocarriers for doxorubicin (DOX) delivery. The successful coating of the MOF particles (Lip-Fe-BTC) with the phospholipid bilayer (PBL) was established by direct fusion into the synthesized liposomes. The liposome coating was verified using several techniques, including dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The DLS measurements showed an increase in the average particle diameter of liposomes from 150 nm to 163.1 nm for Lip-Fe-BTC particles. The Fe-BTC particles had the highest average particle diameter (287.3 nm). These results demonstrated that the PBL reduced the aggregation of the particles and improved their dispersity in the release medium. The TGA results demonstrated the MOF’s excellent thermal stability. Furthermore, the nanocarrier’s loading efficiency and capacity were determined to be ~90% and ~13.5 wt%, respectively. The in-vitro DOX release experiments demonstrated that the DOX-loaded Fe-BTC and liposome-coated Fe-BTC particles showed good pH and US dual-responsive capability, making them promising nanocarriers for drug delivery. The application of US enhanced DOX release from both Fe-BTC and liposome-coated Fe-BTC. In the case of Fe-BTC-DOX particles, the application of US enhanced the DOX release to around 38% and 67%, at pH levels of 7.4 and 5.3, respectively. Similarly, DOX release from the Lip-Fe-BTC-DOX particles reached ~35% and ~53%, at pH levels of 7.4 and 5.3, respectively. The MTT assay showed the biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity of these nanocarriers below 100 µg/ml.
pH and ultrasound dual-responsive drug delivery system based on PEG–folate-functionalized Iron-based metal–organic framework for targeted doxorubicin delivery
(Elsevier, 2021) Ahmed, Ahmed H.S; Karami, Abdollah; Sabouni, Rana; Husseini, Ghaleb; Paul, Vinod
In recent years, the use of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) as drug nanocarriers has gained attention because of their extraordinary physical and chemical properties. In this work, dual-responsive iron-based MOFs were synthesized via the microwave-assisted method using FeCl₃.6 (H₂O) as the metal cluster and 2-aminoterephthalic acid (NH₂-BDC) as the organic linker (namely NH₂-Fe-BDC) and loaded with the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin (DOX). The DOX-loaded MOFs were further functionalized with polyethylene glycol-folate (PEG–FA), yielding PEG–FA-NH₂-Fe-BDC. The folate moiety is used to specifically target several cancers overexpressing the folate receptor (FR). These nanoparticles were characterized using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The FTIR confirmed the PEG–FA conjugation to the MOFs, while the XRD patterns confirmed the crystallinity of the nanoparticles. TGA results demonstrated the thermal stability of the MOFs. Moreover, the DLS analysis showed that regular MOFs had a particle diameter of 577 nm, while the PEG–FA-functionalized MOF had a particle diameter of 461 nm, which demonstrates the improved colloidal stability of the functionalized MOF. The DOX encapsulation efficiency was determined to be approximately 97%, while the encapsulation capacity was around 14.5 wt%. Furthermore, the in-vitro release profiles were studied under different pH values (5.3 and 7.4) with and without low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS, at 40 kHz). The results confirmed the sonosensitivity of the nanovehicles, with US-triggered release efficiency reaching up to 90% after 280 min (at a pH of 5.3). The MTT study revealed that these nanocarriers are non-toxic at lower concentrations. Their toxicity increases at higher concentrations. Furthermore, the cellular uptake was investigated via flow cytometry, and the results showed that the conjugation of the PEG-FA moiety to the MOF’s surface significantly enhanced uptake by cancer cells. Accordingly, this study showed the pH/US dual-responsive capability of NH₂-Fe-BDC and PEG–FA-NH₂-Fe-BDC.
Liposomes as a Promising Ultrasound-Triggered Drug Delivery System in Cancer Treatment
(Bentham Science, 2017) Salkho, Najla; Turki, Renad; Guessoum, O.; Martins, Ana M.; Vitor, Rute F.; Husseini, Ghaleb
The initial uses of ultrasound waves in the medical field were limited to the thermal ablation of solid tumors and as a diagnostic tool. Recent advances at the preclinical stage have allowed the use of ultrasound as a powerful tool to improve drug delivery when the agent is administered encapsulated inside a nanoparticle. This spatial and temporal control of drug release, using a non-invasive modality, is a promising approach to decrease the side effects of conventional chemotherapy in cancer treatments, as it reduces the interaction of the anti-neoplastic agent with healthy tissues. In this review, we explain the physics of ultrasound, introduce and discuss several examples on the use of nanoparticles as drug carriers, with a focus on liposomes. Examples of in vitro and in vivo studies are presented and discussed.
Systems and Methods for Targeted Breast Cancer Therapies
(2024-01-09) Husseini, Ghaleb; Al-Sayah, Mohammad; Ahmed, Amal Elsadig Elamir
Systems and methods for producing liposomes, including control liposomes and immunoliposomes targeting breast cancer are provided. Systems and methods for treating breast cancer, using targeted immunoliposomes produced according to various methods are also disclosed herein. For example, trastuzumab-conjugated immunoliposomes may be used to deliver chemotherapeutic agents to breast cancer tissues for the treatment of breast cancer. Systems and methods for actuating liposomes using ultrasound are also disclosed, such as systems and methods for actuating trastuzumab-conjugated liposomes accumulated in breast cancer tissues for the treatment of breast cancer.
Systems and Methods for Targeted Breast Cancer Therapies
(2020-12-15) Husseini, Ghaleb; Al-Sayah, Mohammad; Ahmed, Amal Elsadig Elamir
Systems and methods for producing liposomes , including control liposomes and immunoliposomes targeting breast cancer are provided . Systems and methods for treating breast cancer , using targeted immunoliposomes produced according to various methods are also disclosed herein . For example, trastuzumab - conjugated immunoliposomes may be used to deliver chemotherapeutic agents to breast cancer tissues for the treatment of breast cancer . Systems and methods for actuating liposomes using ultrasound are also disclosed , such as systems and methods for actuating trastuzumab - conjugated liposomes accumulated in breast cancer tissues for the treatment of breast cancer.
Technique for Drug and Gene Delivery to the Cell Cytosol
(2015-04-07) Pitt, William G.; Husseini, Ghaleb
Provided herein is a composition, a method, and a system for delivering a functional molecule to the cytosol of a cell, comprising a liposome configured to be taken into a cell, including by a process selected from the group consisting of endocytosis, pinocytosis or phagocytosis, the liposome comprising a phase transforming liquid with vapor pressure capable of forming a gas at low pressure, said liquid being associated with the liposome, and the liposome further com prising at least one functional molecule selected from the group consisting of a therapeutic molecule, a detectable label, and a targeting molecule.

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