My name is Shima Khezri Azizi Far, and I hold an MPharm degree, which laid the foundation for my passion for personalised medicine and innovative treatment strategies. I recently completed my PhD studies at the University of Brighton and await my Viva. I developed a strong interest in oncology, particularly in exploring novel therapeutic approaches. This academic and professional background provided me with valuable insights into the limitations and potential of current treatment options, inspiring me to pursue further research in the field.
The aim of my research
The primary aim of my research is to design a more effective, controlled drug delivery system for breast cancer treatment. Breast cancer is a complex disease affecting approximately 55,900 individuals. Each year in the UK, around 55,000 cases in women are diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. By integrating nanotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences, I aim to create a drug delivery system that targets cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue, potentially reducing side effects and improving treatment outcomes. Specifically, my work involved using thermos-sensitive liposomes combined with gold and silver nanoparticles to trigger the release of the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin under controlled conditions, thereby improving its efficacy and reducing off-target effects.
My interest in breast cancer research
My interest in the field of breast cancer stemmed from the substantial unmet medical need, together with my interest in improving people’s lives and improving the quality of treatments. Breast cancer remains one of the most frequently observed and diagnosed cancers and is particularly complex because it encompasses several subtypes that respond differently to treatment. Witnessing patients’ challenges, I am firmly committed to exploring alternative therapeutic avenues that might offer better efficacy with fewer side effects. The possibility of leveraging nanotechnology to address these challenges intrigued me, as it represents an emerging frontier in targeted therapy, a better strategy with promising implications for cancer treatment.
Methodology
I employed a multidisciplinary approach in my research, combining elements from pharmacology, nanotechnology (chemistry), and cancer biology. I designed a hybrid system integrating Thermos-Sensitive Liposomes (TSLs) with gold and silver nanoparticles to encapsulate doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic medication currently used for cancer treatments but associated with a wide range of intolerable side effects. This system is ‘engineered’ to release the drug upon exposure to Near-InfraRed (NIR) light or elevated temperatures, allowing for controlled release specifically in the tumour environment. My approach involved fabrication and characterising the nanoparticles and liposomes, testing their drug release profiles under different temperature and light conditions, and assessing their cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells in vitro using the breast cancer MCF-7 cell lines. This comprehensive approach allowed me to examine the potential of this hybrid system to offer targeted, efficient drug delivery.
General findings
My findings indicate that this nanoparticle-liposome system can offer controlled, targeted drug release with promising efficacy in cancer cells. In integrating gold and silver nanoparticles with thermosensitive liposomes, I observed a synergistic effect that enhanced the drug release upon exposure to controlled conditions. The system’s design allows for localised drug delivery, which could significantly improve treatment accuracy and minimise off-target toxicity.
My research focuses on developing a novel hybrid nanoparticle-liposome system to enhance the targeted delivery of doxorubicin directly to tumour cells. This approach aims to improve therapeutic precision by ensuring that the drug is more effectively concentrated at the site of the tumour, thereby minimising systemic exposure and reducing potential side effects while maximising its efficacy against cancer cells.
Contribution to breast cancer research
My research stands out because it combines two advanced technologies, metallic nanoparticles and thermosensitive liposomes, to address the ongoing challenges of drug delivery in cancer treatment. Previous studies have explored the use of nanoparticles and liposomes separately; however, my work uniquely combines both in a single system responsive to heat and light stimuli. This dual-trigger mechanism is designed to enhance specificity in drug delivery, which could make treatment less invasive and more efficient. By integrating gold and silver nanoparticles, my research also explores the potential of photothermal therapy, which involves using light to generate localised heat in tumour cells, potentially adding a therapeutic dimension beyond traditional chemotherapy.
Hopes for the future
Looking forward, I hope my research can contribute to more refined, patient-centred approaches to different cancer treatments. The ability to deliver chemotherapy directly to tumour sites has the potential to transform treatment protocols, reducing side-effects and improving patient outcomes. Although this research is still experimental, I am optimistic about its implications for clinical applications. As we continue to understand the unique properties of nanotechnology in medicine, I believe it will pave the way for more targeted, personalised therapies for cancer patients. Broadly, I hope that my work inspires further research into nanotechnology-based treatments, offering new hope and innovative solutions for patients facing breast cancer and other types of cancer.
NAWP’s incredible efforts in raising awareness and supporting breast cancer, from fundraising to their informative factsheet, are truly inspiring. I’m honoured to share my research on targeted therapies in their latest newsletter.
By Shima Khezri Azizi Far, PDA NAWP Network member
Learn more
- NAWP produces breast cancer awareness factsheet
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month Member Voice – ‘I found a lump!’
- NAWP encourages pharmacists to take part in Wear it Pink
Not yet a PDA member?
If you have not yet joined the PDA, we encourage you to join today and ask your colleagues to do the same.
Membership is FREE to pharmacy students, trainee pharmacists and for the first three months of being newly qualified.
Read about our key member benefits here.