Evaluation of the potential of curcumin encapsulated polymeric nanoparticles associated with D-±-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate functionalized with bevacizumab in the treatment of Prostate Cancer

• Grant number: 20/06212-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: June 01, 2021
• End date: March 11, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Marlus Chorilli
• Grantee: Jennifer Thayanne Cavalcante de Araújo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/02591-8 - Investigation of antiangiogenic pathways and prostate anticancer activity of curcumin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles functionalized with bevacizumab, BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the second cancer with the highest mortality rate in Brazil, affecting mainly elderly men. The recommended treatment varies according to the stage of the tumor, and it is possible to opt for isolated therapies or in combination. Among therapies, chemotherapeutic agents are widely used; however, the tumor may be resistant, causing the efflux of drugs from the cell, in addition to generating numerous side effects by also affecting healthy cells. Substances of natural origin, such as curcumin, a polyphenol obtained from Curcuma longa L., have shown antitumor action in in vitro assays against different prostate cancer strains. However, curcumin has limitations in its use, mainly due to its hydrophobicity and low bioavailability with rapid clearance, so its incorporation into nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems has been investigated, such as polymeric nanoparticles using D- ±-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 (TPGS) as a surfactant, which have gained ground in cancer therapy, as they can encapsulate hydrophobic substances, improve drug stability properties. help in controlled release process, water solubility, reduced toxicity, internalization and apoptosis of cancer cells. Nanoparticles can have their surface modified by the coupling of ligands or antibodies that help in the specific binding to the target cell, such as bevacizumab, an anti-angiogenesis agent, a property that is associated with the invasive process of the tumor. Thus, the present work aims to encapsulate curcumin in polymeric nanoparticles associated with TPGS and functionalize them with bevacizumab for the treatment of prostate cancer. The developed nanoparticles will be physicochemically characterized, evaluated for functionalization efficiency, encapsulation, in vitro curcumin release, antioxidant action, in vitro cytotoxicity against prostatic tumor cell lines (PC-3 and DU145) and in vivo antitumor activity. (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)

DE ARAUJO, JENNIFER THAYANNE CAVALCANTE; TAVARES JUNIOR, ALBERTO GOMES; DI FILIPPO, LEONARDO DELELLO; DUARTE, JONATAS LOBATO; RIBEIRO, TAIS DE CASSIA; CHORILLI, MARLUS. Overview of chitosan-based nanosystems for prostate cancer therapy. EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL, v. 160, NOV 5 2021. (19/19228-8, 19/25125-7, 18/18488-3, 20/06212-3)

CARVALHO, GABRIELA CORREA; FURQUIM DE CAMARGO, BRUNA ALMEIDA; CAVALCANTE DE ARAUJO, JENNIFER THAYANNE; CHORILLI, MARLUS. Lycopene: From tomato to its nutraceutical use and its association with nanotechnology. TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, v. 118, p. 447-458, DEC 2021. (19/26821-7, 20/06212-3)