Evaluation of nanoemulsions for local-transdermal administration of fenretinide for breast cancer chemoprevention

• Grant number: 21/06755-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2021
• End date: August 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Biagini Lopes
• Grantee: Jessica Ribeiro Nunes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 18/13877-1 - Nanocarriers for localized treatment and chemoprevention of breast tumors, AP.JP2

Abstract

Despite the high worldwide incidence we have few pharmacological strategies for breast cancer prevention, and the existing approaches have several adverse effects and a low acceptance in the high risk population. Considering that the chemoprevention for this cancer requires sufficient amounts of drug just in the breast tissue and that it is located just below the skin, we propose the topical administration of the retinoid fenretinide in the breast to prevent the development of this disease. As this drug is bulky and very lipophilic, which impairs the penetration into the skin, we propose your encapsulation in nanoemulsions with the monoterpen limonene to associate the promotion of the penetration and the potentiation of the drug's effects. The nanoemulsion's physicochemical properties will be studied by diameter determination, zeta potential and rheological behavior assessment. The skin penetration assay will be conducted to observe the influence of the composition and the monoterpene on the fenretinide's cutaneous availability, while transepidermal water loss assay will be used as an index of tissue permeability, and if there are changes mediated by the nanoemulsion in the skin barrier function. The formulation's influence about the breast cellular viability (tumoral and non-tumoral) and cutaneous (since the system will be topically applied) are going to be studied in 2D cultures. Lastly, with this work, we hope to break the paradigm of the fenretinide with nanotechnology utilization, and innovate in the breast cancer prevention.

Academic Publications

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

NUNES, Jessica Ribeiro. Evaluation of nanoemulsions for local topical-transdermal administration of fenretinide for pharmacological prevention and adjuvant therapy for breast cancer.. 2024. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB/SDI) São Paulo.