Research Abstract

My research interests focus on macromolecular drugs, predominantly for cancer therapy.

My research is focused on identifying novel aspects of the in vivo transport mechanisms and, when such aspects are identified, designing macromolecular therapeutic constructs optimized to “ride” on these novel mechanisms to their respective targets. When necessary, the drug development studies include research on relevant factors, such as macromolecule/particle interactions with biological milieu, surface modification (steric protection) and developing new biomaterials and drug release systems.

I have a broad background in macromolecular drug development, with specific training and expertise in chemistry, drug delivery, drug targeting and pharmacology of large molecules and nanoparticles. Two drugs in the development of which my laboratory has participated are presently in clinical trials. XMT-1001, a macromolecular tecan, was developed entirely in my laboratory with intention to deliver a highly hydrophobic derivative of camptothecin to tumors that have low vascular permeability. XMT-1107 combines an antiangiogenic functionality developed by Dr. J. Folkman with a new macromolecular platform developed in my laboratory.

Presently, my work is focused on non-invasive investigation of the solute transport processes mediated by the cerebrospinal fluid. We have found that at least three aspects of the cerebrospinal transport were previously not adequately understood, and our findings open a new opportunity to develop cancer therapeutics targeted to meningeal and CNS cancer through cerebrospinal delivery route in spite of the known inefficiency of this route for “conventional” therapeutics.