In vitro evaluation of biocompatibility, intestinal permeability, and anticancer properties of multifunctional systems intended for colonic release of bevacizumab in the treatment of colorectal cancer

• Grant number: 21/08699-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): December 15, 2021
• Effective date (End): June 14, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Maria Palmira Daflon Gremião
• Grantee: Suzana Gonçalves Carvalho
• Supervisor: Bruno Filipe Carmelino Cardoso Sarmento
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Research place: Universidade do Porto (UP), Portugal
• Associated to the scholarship: 19/10761-5 - Multifunctional systems for the specific colonoscopy of bevacizumab for the treatment of Colorectal Cancer, BP.DR

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer in terms of incidence and the second most lethal in the world. Intravenous chemotherapy has been the therapeutic resource used in the treatment of cancer, however, the therapeutic effectiveness and the adverse effects are limited. compromise their use in this way. The colon-specific release of bevacizumab (BVZ) from nanostructured systems aiming at increasing efficacy and reducing side effects has been widely explored and has been shown to be a potential strategy for the treatment of CCR. Although the combination of nanotechnology has represented a promising treatment approach, its translation to the clinic has been hampered by the absence of cellular models that can provide reliable and predictive knowledge about the in vivo efficiency of the formulation. In turn, multicellular 3D systems, by mimicking the main genetic, physical and mechanical information of the tumor microenvironment, constitute a promising tool as a model for the study of cancer. This project aims to carry out the in vitro study of the biocompatibility, intestinal permeability, and anticancer properties of polymeric multifunctional systems for the specific colonic release of BVZ for the treatment of colorectal cancer, to be carried out at the Institute of Research and Innovation in Health - University of Porto, in Portugal, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Bruno Filipe Carmelino Cardoso Sarmento. This study will contribute decisively to the understanding of the influence of mucus on the release and permeation of polymeric nanoparticles containing BVZ, the influence of surface modification with chitosan on the mucoadhesion of polymeric systems, in addition to verifying the biocompatibility and anticancer properties of the studied systems.