Evaluation of ferritin-based nanostructured system for delivery of peptide vaccine in macrophage and dendritic cells culture

• Grant number: 23/13067-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): January 01, 2024
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Fabiana Testa Moura de Carvalho Vicentini
• Grantee: Juliana Covolo Marques
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Antitumor vaccine is a promising strategy for the treatment of cancer by using tumor antigens capable of activating and/or improving the individual's immune system. However, it is necessary to identify tumor antigens and overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment to generate the desired immune response. The epidermal growth factor receptor variant III (EGFRvIII) is associated with tumorigenicity due to increased cell proliferation and apoptosis inhibition, with a high incidence rate in melanoma patients. Because it is rarely expressed by normal cells, the use of the EGFRvIII-mutated extracellular portion can be applied as a specific tumor antigen in peptide vaccines. Regarding to the immune response generation, ferritin-based nanoparticles can be used as a carrier system, contributing to the immunogenicity of the peptide vaccine. Among the ferritin characteristics there are thermal stability and stability in a wide range of pH, small size, biocompatibility and biodegradability. Thus, the present project proposes to evaluate the cytotoxicity and the impact of ferritin-based delivery systems on the immune response profile generated in macrophage and dendritic cell cultures. This study adds the results previously obtained by the research group and strongly cooperates in the development stage of the proposed system, contributing to an integrated, multidisciplinary, innovative research project with potential health benefits.