Production and characterization of lyposomes and polymersomes for encapsulation of L-asparaginase

• Grant number: 18/25133-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2019
• End date: October 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Carlota de Oliveira Rangel Yagui
• Grantee: Amanda Turno da Silva
• 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

Abstract

Cancer is of the main causes of mortality in the world. Among them, acute lymphoblastic leukemia has a high incidence in children. Its treatment includes the enzyme L-asparagine, which is the focus of this project. In order to tackle problems such as high immunogenicity and low biodisponibility, Nanotechnology principles are being used to target the tumor cells improving the treatment significantly. Research related to drug delivery from nanostructures has been innovating the pharmaceutical sciences all over the world. Examples of these nanostructures are lysosomes and polymerases that have already been employed as nanocarriers and can prevent issues related to the direct administration of L-asparaginase. The main focus of this project is, therefore, to compare the efficiency of both nanostructures regarding the nanoencapsulation of L-asparagine for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.