Semester

Fall

Date of Graduation

2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Wood Science and Technology

Committee Chair

Gloria Oporto

Committee Member

Kathryn Gazal

Committee Member

Rakesh Gupta

Committee Member

Ivan Martinez

Committee Member

Gustavo Cabrera

Abstract

This research explores the development of a biocompatible, natural drug delivery system designed for targeted cancer therapy. Lung cancer cells are used in these particular tests, but further research indicates treatment could be used for various cancer types. Traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy are often limited by poor selectivity for tumor cells, causing significant damage to healthy tissues. The study proposes a dual-layered delivery system, utilizing Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) as the core material and a charge-reversible chitosan shell to encapsulate and target cancer drugs. CMC, with its water solubility and ability to form stable gels, serves as a stable drug reservoir, while the chitosan shell’s pH-sensitive properties enable selective targeting of tumor cells in acidic microenvironments. This system aims to minimize systemic toxicity, enhance drug stability, and improve the therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatments, particularly in the context of doxorubicin (DOX), a widely used chemotherapeutic agent. Despite challenges in achieving noticeable effects with chitosan in preliminary trials, the integration of CMC and chitosan in a drug delivery platform shows promise for overcoming the limitations of conventional chemotherapy, offering potential for safer, more efficient cancer treatments.

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