A new drug will be presented (ML-016, a.k.a.iNPG-pDox), which was designed employing mathematical mechanics models, and has demonstrated unprecedented, curative efficacy in preclinical models of metastatic cancer. This presentation will be embedded in a broader context, which articulates in the following objectives:
- To state three classes of mathematical problems in biomedical mechanics, and discuss their significance. They are: The transport of (nanoscale) mass through the body, and its pathological correlate: Transport Oncophysics; The transport of mass through nanoscale environments, with particular emphasis on signaling pathways inside of cells; and The development of predictive anatomy.
- To identify simplifications to these problems, which are amenable to solutions that offer insights into solutions of the general problems in biomedical mechanics. These simplifications are based on currently available nanotechnology platforms, so that these can be used for experimental verification. For the first problem, the simplification arises from the use of synthetic nanoparticles of known properties, to model the nanoscale objects being transported throughout the body. For the second, the simplification is the use of synthetic nanochannels of known properties as models for the nanoscale environments. The third general problem is simplified by reference to the optimal homogenization of biohybrid composites (biological and synthetic components) comprising nanoscale phases of known properties.
- To illustrate the significance of the solutions to the simplified problems for securing advances against cancer and other diseases, as well as developing novel perspectives over the basic understanding of these maladies, and the nature of their differences from ‘health’.
Before the statement of the general problems, some current aspects of nanotechnology and nanomedicine will be reviewed. Familiarity with these will aid in obtaining the special problems from the general problems, and in the discussion of the implications of their solutions for the clinic.
