Research
Development of radiopaque bioresorbable inferior vena cava filters
Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are effective adjunctive therapy for the prevention of pulmonary embolism, a common life-threatening condition in high-risk patients. However, retrieval of conventional IVC filters is problematic, with long-term implantation often presenting with complications.
Our laboratory is working on synthesizing and incorporating nanoparticles in resorbable IVC filters to confer radiopacity, thus, providing a safe, non-invasive, real-time monitoring modality that would mitigate the complications associated with conventional IVC filters.
Development of nanoparticle-enhanced absorbable cell or drug-eluting polymeric vascular wraps and grafts
Absorbable vascular medical devices that can be deployed and monitored by conventional imaging modalities can revolutionize the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular diseases caused by neointimal hyperplasia.
Our laboratory specializes in optimizing different polymer solutions of varying properties that can be loaded with a multitude of agents, such as nanoparticles, drugs, and cells. We then employ multiple fabrication techniques, including wet dipping, electrospinning, or 3D printing technologies, to produce medical devices that can provide structural and functional support to diseased blood vessels.
Development of multifunctional theranostic nanoparticles
Theranostic nanoparticles integrate imaging, targeting, and therapeutic abilities into a single nano-formulation. The Melancon laboratory aims to engineer bioconjugates and nanoparticles that can be useful in simultaneous imaging and targeted therapies in cancer. Specifically, we are developing Cy5.5-alendronate drug conjugates and PLGA-based nanoparticles for targeted delivery of drug to the tumor-induced bone area in metastatic prostate cancer. We are also exploring the use of mesoporous silica-based bismuth-gadolinium nanoparticles which function as radiosensitizer and bimodal contrast agents for MRI and CT imaging.