Microemulsions development and characterization for ALA topical photodynamic therapy

• Grant number: 05/01698-5
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2005 - January 31, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal researcher: Renata Fonseca Vianna Lopez
• Grantee: Renata Fonseca Vianna Lopez
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy is a new tool for the treatment of certain cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions in dermatology. 5-aminolevulinic acid and simple derivatives thereof are the principal active agents used for this purpose. For optimal efficacy, the drug must be released at an appropriate rate from the formulation and penetrate the skin, ideally to reach the target tissue at a sufficiently high concentration. Because ALA is a polar, zwitterionic compound, its formulation in conventional topical vehicles, and its inherently poor skin permeability, pose important challenges for the pharmaceutical scientist. The synthesis of more lipophilic (e.g. ester) prodrugs of ALA resolves, in part, these issues but their retention in the stratum corneum can increase the lag time. Microemulsions are a modern drug delivery system that can facilitate skin penetration of hidro and lipophilic drugs. Therefore, the goal of this work is to obtain and to characterize microemulsions containing a hidrophilic (ALA) and a lipophilic (h-ALA) PpIX precursor to understanding and optimizing their in vitro and in vivo cutaneous penetration. (AU)

Scientific publications

(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)

PIRES DE CAMPOS ARAUJO, LUCIANA MATTOSO; THOMAZINE, JOSE ANTONIO; VIANNA LOPEZ, RENATA FONSECA. Development of microemulsions to topically deliver 5-aminolevulinic acid in photodynamic therapy. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICS AND BIOPHARMACEUTICS, v. 75, n. 1, p. 48-55, MAY 2010. (05/01698-5)