Preparation of Erlotinib nanoparticles from the amphiphilic and cationic copolymer PULL-DEAE-g-PZLL for obtaining new pharmaceutical formulation for the treatment of cancer.

• Grant number: 23/11796-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Simone de Fátima Medeiros Sampaio
• Grantee: Willian Fragali Machado
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de Lorena (EEL). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Lorena , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/04721-9 - In vitro evaluation of Erlotinib dissolution from pullulan-based particles and simulation of in vivo release using the software gPROMS, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Cancer represents one of the biggest public health problems in the world, and one of the main death causes in humans. Depending on the evolution and type of tumor, different methods can be applied for treating the disease, and chemotherapy is one of the most used. Aiming to improve chemotherapy methods, new pharmaceutical technologies have been developed, like drug carriers based on biopolymers. In this project, pullulan, a microbial polysaccharide, will be used to evaluate the production of nanoparticle suspensions containing Erlotinib, aiming to reduce its recrystallization, improving its bioavailability e its potential for oral and intravenous administration. The copolymer N,N-diethyl-ethylamine-pullulan-g-poly(Z-L-lysine) (PULL-DEAE-g-PZLL) was previously synthesized by the research group. The pure nanoparticles and the ones containing the drug will be characterized by their sizes and morphology using dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and other analysis. The citotoxiciy of the material will also be evaluated in in vitro assays. This project will be done in partnership with the RAPSODEE Research Center, localized at IMT Mines Albi, in France, with the participation of Dr. Maria Inês Ré. Attached to this proposal, we present a acceptance letter by the partner university, sice, in case the project gets approved, a BEPE funding will be requested so the student can stay for four months at the RAPSODEE Center, performing in vitro drug release kinetic evaluation of the Erlotinib nanoparticles, through dissolution tests in fluids that mimic the physiological medium and other relevant assays.