At Al-Ahliyya Amman University in Jordan, I, Dr. Hamdi Nsairat, focus my research on improving cancer treatment by developing advanced drug delivery systems. Traditional cancer therapies, particularly chemotherapy, have long been essential, but they often cause severe side effects because they target both cancerous and healthy cells. To address this, my work aims to create smart drug delivery systems that specifically target cancer cells, reducing side effects and enhancing treatment effectiveness.
One of my key innovations is the development of nanocarriers—tiny, stable particles designed to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells. These nanocarriers, including liposomes and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs), offer several advantages. They improve drug stability and solubility while enabling controlled release, ensuring that drugs are delivered directly to the tumor site. This targeted approach makes treatments more effective and minimizes harm to healthy tissues.
Developing these nanocarriers has been a challenging task. They needed to be stable enough to protect the drugs and precise enough to target only cancer cells. Additionally, scaling these systems for clinical application presented its own hurdles. However, through extensive research, I have made significant strides in creating drug delivery systems that could be used in real-world cancer therapies. This work has particular potential for regions like Jordan, where access to advanced treatments is limited. These targeted drug delivery systems could reduce the need for prolonged treatments, lower healthcare costs, and make cancer therapies more accessible and affordable in resource-limited areas.
My research has led to groundbreaking discoveries and collaborations with esteemed colleagues, such as Prof. Walhan Alshaer, Dr. Ali Al-Samydai, and Dr. Zainab Lafi. In 2024 alone, I published 19 research papers and critical reviews, with one on liposome nanocarriers receiving over 636 citations (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35600452/ ), demonstrating the impact of my work in the scientific community. These collaborations have expanded the application of drug delivery technologies across various medical fields, enhancing the global reach of our discoveries.
Beyond my research, I have contributed to the local pharmaceutical industry by consulting on the development of final formulations for new and generic liposomes for clinical trials. My team and I have filed a local patent for a smart bioconjugate designed for targeted cancer treatment, in collaboration with other Jordanian universities. Our work is supported by two project funds: one from Al-Ahliyya Amman University and another from the ICGEB Research Grants Programme 2024, providing us with the resources needed to continue advancing cancer treatment.
The impact of my work extends beyond scientific discovery. By improving the precision and affordability of cancer therapies, my research holds the potential to enhance patient outcomes globally. The goal is to make cancer care more equitable, particularly in resource-limited regions, by reducing financial burdens and providing access to more effective treatments. My work exemplifies the values of innovation, collaboration, and societal impact, offering tangible benefits to public health. It is an honor to be considered for this prestigious award, as it reflects the dedication and progress in the fight for better cancer care.
