| Grant number: | 16/16221-4 |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |
| Start date: | October 01, 2016 |
| End date: | September 30, 2019 |
| Field of knowledge: | Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology |
| Principal Investigator: | Carlota de Oliveira Rangel Yagui |
| Grantee: | Cecilia Zorzi Bueno |
| Host Institution: | Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| Associated research grant: | 13/08617-7 - Production of extracellular L-asparaginase: from bioprospecting to the engineering of an antileukemic biopharmaceutical, AP.TEM |
| Associated scholarship(s): | 17/05272-0 - Development of porous polymersomes with amphotericin B channels for L-asparaginase encapsulation, BE.EP.PD |
Abstract This proposal is a sub-project of the thematic project Fapesp No 2013/086 17-7 entitled "Production of extracellular L-asparaginase: from bioprospecting to the engineering of an antileukemic biopharmaceutical" headed by Prof. Adalberto Pessoa Jr., and is included in the workplan "Nanotechnological development of L- asparaginase for pharmaceutical formulation", under the responsibility of Prof. Carlota Rangel Yagui. This proposal also counts on the collaboration of Prof. Giuseppe Battaglia, from University College London, so that a research stage in that institution is expected. The focus of this project is the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia, in which the enzyme L-asparaginase is an essential component. This enzyme has antineoplastic activity by catalysing the hydrolysis reaction of the amino acid L-asparagine, which is essential to tumour cells. To improve L-asparaginase stability, bioavailability, toxicity and allergenicity, the enzyme will be encapsulated in polymersomes, which are nanovesicles made of amphiphilic copolymers. This proposal involves the development of polymersomes permeable to L-asparagine, so that the enzyme would remain entrapped and protected against a hostile environment during treatment. To accomplish this, the copolymer PEG-PCL will be mixed to different phospholipids (DPPC and POPC) in different mass proportions, forming hybrid vesicles. Polymersomes containing or not encapsulated L-asparaginase will be characterized regarding morphology and physicochemical parameters. Finally, encapsulation efficiency and the rate of L-asparagine depletion will be evaluated. (AU) | |
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