Lipid nanoparticles for sustained liberation of fenretinide and chemoprevention of breast cancer

• Grant number: 19/02143-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2019
• End date: March 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Biagini Lopes
• Grantee: Isabella Draszesski Malagó
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/16617-7 - Nanostructured systems for topical delivery and co-localization of chemopreventive and chemoterapeutic agents in the skin and breast tissue, AP.JP

Abstract

Chemoprevention is a potential strategy for reduction of breast cancer rates worldwide. However, the available pharmacological options with this purpose present several serious adverse effects, which limit women's adherence to treatment. This project aims to develop and characterize a nanostructured lipid carrier for the drug fenretinide, for subcutaneous administration in the mammary tissue, for sustained drug release and localization in the target tissue, reducing the systemic adverse effects incidence and increasing the high-risk population adherence to chemoprevention. The nanocarriers will be characterized through differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic light scattering, rheological behavior and scanning microscopy. The drug release kinetics will be evaluated in vitro and the irritation potential will be studied through the HET-CAM method, which is alternative to the use of animals. Selected formulations will have its localization evaluated in vivo to verify if they concentrate in the mammary tissue.