Nebulization as a tool for photosensitizer delivery in photodynamic inactivation applied to pulmonary diseases

• Grant number: 17/12937-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: November 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato
• Grantee: Giulia Kassab
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Pneumonia is one of the main causes of hospitalization and mortality worldwide. It is defined as the acute inflammation of the pulmonary parenchyma, and is predominantly caused by bacteria. Since bacterial infections constantly develop resistance to traditional antibiotics, the demand for alternative methods of treatment is pressing. One promising alternative is photodynamic inactivation, which is based on the use of a photosensitizing drug that accumulates preferably in the pathogen (rather than the surrounding tissue), and its activation by light at an adequate wavelength, generating reactive species and thus killing the microorganisms. This project proposes the evaluation of nebulization as a method for the delivery of the photosensitizer to the lungs in the photodynamic inactivation applied to the treatment of pneumonia. Nebulizers are well established tools used to deliver pharmaceutical drugs locally to the lung tissue, therefore limiting adverse effects and increasing the efficacy of treatments. This study proposes the use of a commercially available jet nebulizer, and the photosensitizers indocyanine green, Photodithazine®, and Photogem®. At first, the rate of nebulization and the stability of the compounds through the process will be analyzed. Then, in vivo studies will be performed to determine the incorporation and distribution of the drugs in the pulmonary tissue, the rate of distribution and elimination from the organism after the procedure, and the toxicity of the treatment in the absence of infection. (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)

KASSAB, GIULIA; GERALDE, MARIANA C.; INADA, NATALIA M.; ACHILES, ANA E.; GUERRA, VADILA G.; BAGNATO, VANDERLEI S.. Nebulization as a tool for photosensitizer delivery to the respiratory tract. Journal of Biophotonics, v. 12, n. 4, APR 2019. (17/12937-8, 13/07276-1)

KASSAB, GIULIA; GERALDE, MARIANA C.; INADA, NATALIA M.; BAGNATO, VANDERLEI S.; CHAN, KF; EVANS, CL. Fluorescence assessment of the delivery and distribution of nebulized indocyanine green in a murine model. VISUALIZING AND QUANTIFYING DRUG DISTRIBUTION IN TISSUE II, v. 10475, p. 7-pg., 2018-01-01. (13/07276-1, 17/12937-8)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

KASSAB, Giulia. Nebulization as a tool for the delivery of photosensitizers in the photodynamic inactivation of respiratory diseases. 2018. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC/BT) São Carlos.