Ramokgopa, Ofentse Grace2025-10-152024Ramokgopa, Ofentse Grace. (2024). Design of a 5-Fluorouracil Copolymeric Nanogel Drug Delivery System for the Treatment of Breast Cancer [Master`s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WIReDSpace.https://hdl.handle.net/10539/47039A research report submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Master of Science in Medicine with specialisation in Pharmaceutical Affairs, in the Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2024The present study investigates the development of a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) loaded copolymeric nanogel for breast cancer treatment. Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer- related mortality among women globally, with current therapies often limited by adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, alopecia, and fertility issues. The standard administration method, intravenous (IV) injection or infusion of 5-FU, typically spans several hours or days, contributing to low patient compliance and potential drug resistance. This study aims to address these challenges by developing a nanogel formulation capable of sustained drug release over a two-week period, thereby reducing administration frequency and enhancing patient compliance. Nano emulsions offer promising potential as alternative cancer therapies due to their biocompatibility and high drug-loading capacity. This research focuses on formulating a nano emulsion into a nanogel with a small particle size to improve absorption in cancer cells and prolong circulation time. The mechanical and physical properties of the formulation were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and rheological analysis. The study successfully formulated a copolymeric nanogel loaded with 5-FU, achieving an average particle size of 75 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.464, confirming an effective nanogel drug delivery system. The drug-loaded nanogel demonstrated a sustained release of 60% over 14 days. FTIR analysis identified key functional groups, confirming the chemical integrity of the formulation, while DSC indicated thermal stability. Rheological studies revealed the nanogel's elastic and flow behaviour, supporting its suitability as a drug delivery system. These findings suggest that the developed 5-FU-loaded copolymeric nanogel represents a promising step toward alternative drug delivery systems for cancer therapyen© 2024 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.UCTDBreast Cancerano emulsionnanogelcancertherapytreatment.DissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, JohannesburgSDG-3: Good health and well-beingSDG-9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure