Systemic administration of anticancer drugs often results in non-specific tissue distribution, leading to off-target toxicity and reduced therapeutic efficacy. Encapsulating the drugs in surface-modified nanoparticles has the potential to alter organ-specific biodistribution and enhance passive tumor targeting. In this work, the autophagy inhibitor BAQ13 was encapsulated within self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS). Various oils, surfactants, and co-solvents were screened for their ability to solubilize BAQ13, and selected components were combined to form SNEDDS with small particle size (< 200 nm) and low polydispersity index (PDI < 0.3). To investigate the effect of surface charge on nanoparticle properties, formulations were coated with proprietary polymers: P0 (neutral), P+ (cationic), and P− (anionic). For non-invasive in vivo tracking, the near-infrared fluorescent dye indocyanine green (ICG) was co-encapsulated with BAQ13. BAQ13 and ICG were successfully loaded at 1 mg/mL and 0.05 mg/mL, respectively. Drug loading increased particle size from ~20 nm to ~130 nm, while maintaining low polydispersity (PDI < 0.3) and near-neutral zeta potential (~ –3 mV). Polymer coatings shifted surface charge predictably according to polymer type and concentration. At 0.5% polymer concentration, surface charges of approximately –3 mV, > +10 mV, and < –25 mV were observed for P0, P+, and P–, respectively. These results demonstrate the successful development of BAQ13 and ICG-loaded SNEDDS coated with proprietary polymers to achieve tunable nanoparticle surface charge. Future studies will evaluate biodistribution in healthy and tumor-bearing mice to assess organ-specific targeting.

Cancer research non-participation from underrepresented communities is a persistent problem that researchers must address in their studies. Different ontologies and epistemologies change interpretation while generalizing the experiences of a limited group risk decontextualization. Previous research has addressed at length how theoretical reasoning affects how qualitative information is approached, analyzed, understood, and presented. This is in addition to problems gathering large enough sample sizes for minority group studies. Using interviews conducted as a part of the ELSIE study, an NIH grant funded study looking at improving how lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people are included in cancer research studies, I compared two distinct qualitative methods in a case study of an individual participant in order to show how theory affects data interpretation in small heterogeneous groups. Each method led to different contextualization even when considering the same experience. These outcomes reinforce the importance of a strong theoretical foundation when presenting discoveries intended to inform decision making around underrepresented groups in cancer research participation.

"Folate receptor alpha (FolR1) is overexpressed in several cancers and represents a promising target for selective therapeutic delivery. Previous work demonstrated that multivalent ligand designs can improve targeting specificity through avidity, enabling preferential binding to cells with high receptor expression while minimizing interactions with healthy tissues. However, the influence of linker length on FolR1-targeted multivalent constructs remains largely unexplored. This study investigates how linker length affects the balance between avidity and selectivity in a bivalent FolR1-binding construct. Understanding this relationship could improve the design of targeted cancer therapeutics by identifying construct architectures that maximize discrimination between high/low-expressing cell populations. The work also provides an opportunity to compare linker length trends observed in FolR1 systems with those previously reported for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)-targeted constructs. An existing bivalent F1N11K construct with a monomeric affinity of approximately 250 nM for FolR1 was selected as the control. Using estimates of receptor density on IGROV-1 cancer cells, the average spacing between FolR1 receptors was calculated at approximately 50 nm. Based on these calculations, new linker variants shorter (~2 nm) and longer (~19 nm) than the current 15-amino-acid (~6 nm) linker will be designed and evaluated. If time permits, an additional longer linker approaching the estimated receptor spacing may be investigated. This work is expected to provide insight into how linker length influences multivalent binding and expression-dependent targeting. Findings may inform the future design of FolR1-targeted therapeutics and contribute to a broader understanding of how molecular architecture can be engineered to enhance tumor selectivity."

Background: An increasing number of patients administer medication using self-injected Pre-Filled Syringes (PFS). Many self-injecting patients have comorbidities or dexterity limitations impacting injection performance, highlighting the importance of human factors design. The University of Utah’s Applied and Basic Cognition (ABC) Lab, under Dr. Frank Drews, developed a measurement platform to reliably measure force and time of simulated self-injections. Using this platform, prior studies quantified force requirements across viscosities. The current study investigates whether the addition of visual real-time feedback improves simulated self-injection performance, in the form of a graphical reference line overlayed on time-force profiles. Injection profiles have three phases, with the plateau phase being most critical, wherein minimal changes of force should occur over time. Optimal injection performance produces a sustained steady-state of force, only increasing in duration for higher viscosities. We hypothesize visual real-time feedback will improve administration performance by producing a more consistent force application (zero-slope during plateau) across medications of increasing viscosities compared to a control condition. Method: Fifty participants will perform simulated self-injections. We will use a 2x3 factorial design with visual real-time feedback (present/absent) as a between-subject factor and viscosity (5, 10, 15 cP) as a within-subject factor. Participants will perform 5 simulated self-injections for each viscosity. Results: We expect improved simulated self-injection performance in the visual real-time feedback condition. Implications: Patients with comorbidities or dexterity limitations can inject medications more efficiently with the use of visual real-time feedback. This research may inform future training approaches for healthcare workers when training patients to self-inject.