XPS, alongside other state-of-the-art instrumentation, helped scientists to demonstrate that nanospheres of bio-degradable polymers are feasible as a superior carrier for paclitaxel clinical administration.

• Paclitaxel is a natural drug approved for the treatment of various cancers, especially ovarian and breast cancers, with best effect over other anticancer agents. Current drug carriers such as Cremophor EL cause serious side effects.


• Scientists of the National University of Singapore have investigated the feasibility of nanospheres of biodegradable polymers as a superior alternative to Cremophor EL. XPS was key to determining the chemical structure of the surface.


• The nanospheres of biodegradable polymers were found to be an ideal carrier for paclitaxel to eliminate the side effects caused by the current methods of clinical administration. The technique developed can also be applied to other anticancer drugs.

Techniques: Laser light scattering, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), XPS.

Source: Feng S.S., Huang G.F. & Mu L.; (2000); "Nanospheres of Biodegradable Polymers: A System for Clinical Administration of an Anticancer Drug Paclitaxel (Taxol)"; Annual Academy of Medicine Singapore. Vol. 29; Issue 5; pp. 633-9.