The Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL) has made significant strides in advancing cancer nanotechnology over the past two decades. Established by the National Cancer Institute in 2004 in collaboration with the US Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NCL has played a crucial role in bridging the gap between nanotechnology innovations and their clinical applications in oncology.

To celebrate two successful decades of NCL’s contributions to advancing the field of cancer nanotechnology, this symposium brings together NCL scientists, collaborators, and researchers applying nanotechnology to improve current treatment strategies and develop innovative therapies, vaccines, and diagnostics to combat cancer and the detrimental side-effects of many existing standard of care treatments.

The agenda includes presentations across industries, with collaborators from academia, government, and pharma.

Background: Who is the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory?

The Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory serves as a resource and knowledge base for all cancer researchers—academia, industry, and government—to facilitate the development and clinical translation of novel nanotechnologies intended as cancer therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics.

NCL’s key contributions to the field of nanomedicine include standardization and characterization of nanoparticles to ensure that nanotechnologies meet the safety, efficacy, and quality standards required for clinical trials; worldwide support for nanotechnology developers by offering expertise in physicochemical characterization, immunological testing, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics; assisting collaborators in overcoming challenges such as toxicity, targeting efficiency, and scalability through comprehensive evaluation and feedback; and helping navigate the complexities of nanotechnology development, guiding researchers towards safer and more effective nanomedicines, facilitating the translation of promising nanotechnologies from the bench to the clinic.

Numerous nanotechnology-based cancer therapies have emerged from NCL-supported research, with dozens of concepts entering clinical trials, showing promise in improving treatment outcomes and patient quality of life.