Image Guided Activatable nanoparticles

Speaker: Prof. Maya Thanou, School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, United Kingdom

Abstract: Activatable nanoparticles are a class of smart nanomaterials engineered to remain inert in systemic circulation and selectively release therapeutic payloads only upon exposure to specific stimuli. Building on these platforms we develop image guided nanoparticles that respond to exogenous triggers such as focused ultrasound and microwaves, to achieve precise spatiotemporal controlled drug delivery.

This lecture outlines the core design principles of lipid-based activatable nanoparticles incorporating microwave and ultrasound-responsive assemblies, and highlights their application as theranostic agents combining real-time imaging with on-demand therapeutic release. Preclinical data demonstrate significantly improved tumour accumulation, reduced off-target toxicity, and superior therapeutic indices over conventional formulations.

Key translational challenges, including scalable synthesis, in vivo stability, and regulatory considerations for combination drug-device products , are considered and addressed, with a forward-looking perspective on clinical opportunities in oncology, and CNS drug delivery across the blood-brain barrier.

THIS WAS AN IN-PERSON EVENT (No video available)