Microfluidic technology applied to cancer: chemotherapy-based synthesis of nanomaterials chemotherapy and a high thruput platform for treatment selection

• Grant number: 23/16994-7
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Agreement: CONFAP - National Council of State Research Support Foundations
• Principal Investigator: Lucimara Gaziola de la Torre
• Grantee: Lucimara Gaziola de la Torre
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Angelo Amâncio Duarte ; Gisele Vieira Rocha ; Jéssica Dornelas da Silva ; Ricardo Della Coletta ; Viviane Lucia Beraldo de Araújo
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/19544-5 - Microfluidic synthesis of stealth liposomes for co-encapsulation of 5-fluorouracil and vincristine aiming oral squamous cell carcinoma treatment, BP.MS

Abstract

This multidisciplinary research project aims to consolidate a microfluidic platform for the synthesis of nanomaterials and encapsulation of repositioned therapeutic compounds. These formulations will be evaluated in spheroids operating in perfusion mode, emphasizing the strategy of drug-sustained release and microfluidic systems for screening drugs for oncological treatment. As a proof of concept, the project will address oral cancer, specifically Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OEC). Microfluidics is a technology that involves the manipulation of devices on a micrometric scale and works with the flow of small amounts of fluids, which circulate in artificial microsystems manufactured using specific materials. The proposed project integrates several already established expertise: (i) knowledge of cell biology, cancer, spheroid cultivation, artificial intelligence, and mathematical modelling for the repositioning and in vitro evaluation of drugs from teams in Bahia (Pathology and Molecular Biology Laboratory from Fiocruz-Bahia, State University of Feira de Santana - UEFS) and São Paulo (Unicamp-Piracicaba, Cellular and Molecular Biology Laboratory of the Pathology Area) and (ii) microfluidics applied to the development of nanomaterials and microphysiological systems from the São Paulo team (Unicamp-Campinas, LaNBDA). Additionally, the startup NanoOnco3D, which has already been collaborating with the Unicamp-Campinas team, will contribute to bringing the production sector closer to the production sector and market validation of this technology for dynamic evaluation of spheroids in a microfluidic system with high efficiency. In this way, this project aims to contribute to nanotechnology for the delivery of chemotherapy drugs, in addition to the construction of microdevices that can contribute to the development of innovative platforms that mimic the tumor microenvironment and more efficiently evaluate chemotherapy treatments. It is also expected to train highly qualified human resources in these respective areas. (AU)