EVALUATION OF NANOENCAPSULATION ON CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR EFFECTS OF NEW ANTI-TUMOR COMPOUNDS

• Grant number: 25/02119-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2026
• End date: April 30, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Biagini Lopes
• Grantee: Luciana Biagini Lopes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo

Abstract

The high global incidence of skin, intestinal and breast tumors, combined with the low selectivity, high toxicity and high rates of resistance to chemotherapy drugs currently available highlight the need to identify new antitumor drugs and targets, and develop novel therapeutic strategies that combine efficacy and safety. Nanotechnology can help to fill this gap, since it allows (i) the co-encapsulation of molecules that can potentialize each other's pharmacological effects, contributing to reducing drug dose compared to their individual use, (ii) changes in biodistribution, especially if combined with alternative routes of administration, (iii) administration of lipophilic molecules in aqueous vehicles, avoiding the use of non-polar vehicles with greater toxicity, and (iv) reduction of adverse and toxic effects. Here, we propose to study lipid vesicle and polymeric nanoparticles as delivery systems for new chemotherapy drugs identified from the biodiversity: seriniquinone, chromomycin and piplartine. We seek to understand the influence of nanoencapsulation and nanocarrier composition on the pharmacodynamics of the molecule, focusing not only on the description of cellular effects (such as cytotoxicity) but also on the molecular effects (signaling cascades, expression of key proteins) using 2D and 3D models with mono and cocultures. Considering that the molecules might find applicability if administered locally to the skin or in the mammary ducts, we also propose to investigate the nanocarriers effects on cutaneous transport and mammary retention. Through this project, we aim to generate innovations for the treatment of breast and skin cancers and contribute to the understanding of nanoencapsulation on the pharmacological effects. (AU)