Study of the Physicochemical Properties of Polydopamine Nanoparticles and Their Application in the Development of Tailored Drug Delivery Nanocarriers for Cancer Theraphy

Abstract

[EN] In recent years, interest in nanomedicine, particularly in the use of polymeric nanoparticles, has grown significantly as an innovative and effective strategy for cancer treatment. Although conventional chemotherapy has proven to be effective, it presents significant limitations, such as systemic toxicity, lack of specificity, and the occurrence of adverse reactions. In this context, nanomedicine offers a promising alternative by enabling targeted drug delivery through nanoparticles (NPs), minimizing damage to healthy tissues, reducing multidrug resistance, and facilitating treatment personalization. In this regard, the present thesis investigates the feasibility of using polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs), a type of polymeric NPs, for cancer detection and treatment, aiming to enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing systemic adverse effects. Despite promising results in preclinical studies, challenges remain regarding large-scale production, protein corona formation, and potential toxicity, which must be addressed before clinical application. Therefore, this investigation focuses on the synthesis, characterization, optimization, and validation of PDA NP-based drug delivery systems for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer and HER-2 positive breast cancer, with an emphasis on biocompatibility and tumor specificity.