Complex Peptide-nanoparticles: preparation, characterization and antitumor activity

• Grant number: 15/23903-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: March 01, 2016
• End date: February 28, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Osvaldo Novais de Oliveira Junior
• Grantee: Bianca Sandrino
• Supervisor: Vincent M. Rotello
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Massachusetts, Amherst (UMass Amherst), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 14/12567-8 - Self-assembled peptide nanostructures: synthesis, characterization and interaction with model membrane systems, BP.PD

Abstract

The development of novel nanoparticles formulations is crucial for enhanced drug delivery systems. In this Project, we aim at preparing and characterizing nanoparticles functionalized with active peptides, which will be used as an alternative for the anti-cancer drug leuprolid acetate, widely used for treating prostate, breast and uterine cancer. The major challenge is to incorporate leuprolid acetate in nanoparticles to increase drug specificity and reduce its side effects. The latter include hypersensitivity reactions, risk of heart attack, sudden death, stroke and neurotoxicity. The drug delivery systems will be characterized by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential measurements, and fluorescence microscopy. To assess the cell interaction of the multifunctional nanoparticles, flow cytometry analysis of cancer cells incubated with the nanoformulation will be performed. It is hoped to understand the molecular-level interactions that may lead to highly specific, effective drug delivery systems for cancer therapies.