Multifunctional approach of gold nanostructures coated with silica: combining the diagnosis of circulating cancer cells with the tumor phototherapy

• Grant number: 23/17867-9
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Materials and Metallurgical Engineering - Nonmetallic Materials
• Principal Investigator: Sabrina Aléssio Camacho
• Grantee: Sabrina Aléssio Camacho
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Letras (FCL-ASSIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Assis. Assis , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Alexandre G. Brolo ; Christelle Prinz ; Karina Alves de Toledo ; Matias Eliseo Melendez
• Associated research grant(s): 24/16714-7 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2023/17867-9: spectrofluorimeter, AP.EMU
• Associated scholarship(s): 25/00376-8 - Multifunctional nanostructures applied in the diagnosis of cancer patients and in vitro treatment through the synergy between photothermal and photodynamic therapies, BP.DD; 24/22821-0 - Gold nanostars coated with silica shell and biofunctionalized for photothermal therapy in lung cancer cells, BP.IC; 24/15686-0 - Multifunctional approach of gold nanostructures coated with silica: combining the diagnosis of circulating cancer cells with the tumor phototherapy, BP.JP

Abstract

This Young Researcher award aims to nucleate a research group in an emerging center, contributing to the decentralization of the state research system. These goals will be achieved through the implementation of an innovative research line, distinct from the previous groups to which I have been associated. Additionally, I intend to establish and consolidate my own research group at an institution that has yet to establish a tradition in this area (FCL/Unesp - Assis), aiming to position it at the forefront of knowledge. The project focuses on the development and application of multifunctional nanostructures for cancer diagnosis and phototherapy. Gold shell-isolated nanoparticles (AuSHINs) will be conjugated with photosensitizers (FS), followed by a second silica shell and functionalization with specific biomolecules for tumor cells. The conjugation will seek for FSs whose electronic excitation and emission are in resonance with the plasmon of AuSHINs, favoring the enhancement of the fluorescent signal (SHINEF, shell-isolated nanoparticles-enhanced fluorescence). This enhancement aims to optimize the performance of nanostructures in sensor applications and achieve a synergistic effect of photothermal therapy (PTT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT). The nanostructures will be applied in the development of SHINEF diagnostic platforms for detecting circulating cancer cells (CCC), isolating traces (from ng/mL to pg/mL) of overexpressed proteins in certain types of cancer. The challenge will be to diagnose such proteins in real samples of blood serum, urine, or saliva from cancer-affected patients, envisioning a less invasive and early diagnosis. Regarding treatment, the nanostructures will be applied as phototherapeutic agents in cells derived from brain, lung, breast, and colorectal carcinomas, in addition to non-tumor cells for comparison. In vitro flow cytometry assays will be conducted to assess the efficiency of the synergistic effect (PTT + PDT), the specificity (biofunctionalization) of nanostructures, as well as the underlying mechanisms involved, such as cell death pathways (apoptosis/necrosis) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. (AU)

Scientific publications

(4)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

FERREIRA, ANDRE SATOSHI; DE ALMEIDA JUNIOR, ALEXANDRE MENDES; KOBAL, MIRELLA BOARO; MOREIRA, LUCAS GONTIJO; CAMACHO, SABRINA ALESSIO; DE TOLEDO, KARINA ALVES; OLIVEIRA JR, OSVALDO N.; DEWOLF, CHRISTINE E.; AOKI, PEDRO HENRIQUE BENITES. Photoactivated Rose Bengal Triggers Phospholipid Hydroperoxidation and Late Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells. Langmuir, v. 41, n. 10, p. 12-pg., 2025-03-06. (23/01999-3, 21/14500-1, 22/02189-2, 14/11408-3, 23/17867-9, 24/15686-0, 21/14020-0, 20/15854-9, 23/07375-1, 24/11383-2, 18/22214-6)

MARTINS, BRUNA ALVES; SOUSA, GIOVANNA ELLER SILVA; DE ALMEIDA JR, ALEXANDRE MENDES; TOLEDO, KARINA ALVES; OLIVEIRA, OSVALDO N.; CAMACHO, SABRINA ALESSIO; AOKI, PEDRO HENRIQUE BENITES. Baicalein Interactions with Lipid Membrane Models: Implications for Its Protective Role against Respiratory Viral Infections. Langmuir, v. 41, n. 14, p. 9-pg., 2025-04-07. (18/22214-6, 23/17301-5, 24/15686-0, 23/17867-9, 24/16714-7, 24/00313-3, 22/02189-2)

SOUSA, GIOVANNA ELLER SILVA; MARTINS, BRUNA ALVES; DE ALMEIDA JUNIOR, ALEXANDRE MENDES; QUEIROZ, RAFAELA CAMPOS; TADA, DAYANE BATISTA; CAMACHO, SABRINA ALESSIO; OLIVEIRA JR., OSVALDO N.; AOKI, PEDRO HENRIQUE BENITES. Determining Molecular-Level Interactions of Carboxyl-Functionalized Nanodiamonds with Bacterial Membrane Models as the Basis for Antimicrobial Activity. Langmuir, v. 41, n. 9, p. 11-pg., 2025-03-02. (23/17867-9, 21/04838-5, 23/17301-5, 18/22214-6, 24/00313-3, 22/02189-2, 22/00662-2, 24/15686-0)

DOS SANTOS, DANIELA MAYRA; RUBIRA, RAFAEL J. G.; SALZEDAS, GABRIELA P.; KOBAL, MIRELLA B.; MOREIRA, LUCAS G.; TOLEDO, KARINA A.; AOKI, PEDRO H. B.; DEWOLF, CHRISTINE; CAMACHO, SABRINA A.. Elucidating the toxicity of methyl parathion, imazapic, isoxaflutole, and chlorantraniliprole on human hepatocarcinoma cells and bioinspired membranes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS, v. 490, p. 11-pg., 2025-02-27. (20/05423-0, 18/22214-6, 22/15310-4, 20/15854-9, 21/14500-1, 24/15686-0, 23/17867-9, 21/11344-9, 22/02189-2, 14/11408-3, 22/15041-3)