Evaluation of the effects of the type of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) on the characteristics and cytotoxicity of nanoparticles containing seriniquinone

• Grant number: 24/01714-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy - Pharmaceutical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Biagini Lopes
• Grantee: Rafaela Augusto Maia
• 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

Given the increases in melanoma incidence and the high rate of resistance associated with available monotherapy, the need to develop new drugs for this type of cancer is urgent. Seriniquinone (SQ) is a promising candidate as a drug against melanoma, but its low aqueous solubility is a barrier to its in vivo evaluation and further development. Faced with this challenge, our group developed poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles (PLGA-NPs) to enable drug dispersion into aqueous-based vehicles and its potential use. Aiming at optimizing this nanocarrier properties, this study aims at comparing the effects of various PLGA polymers with distinct polylactic acid (PLA) and polyglycolic acid (PGA) ratios and molecular weight on the nanoparticles characteristics, their physicochemical characteristics, SQ's encapsulation efficiency and kinetics of release and cytotoxicity. Size and polydispersity index (PdI) of nanoparticles before and after SQ incorporation will be measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential by electrophoretic light scattering (ELS). Morphology and thermal properties will be evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Encapsulation efficiency and drug release kinetics will be quantified using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), while NPs' biological activity will be studied with melanoma cells (SK-MEL-28 and SK-MEL-147) in monolayer culture and as spheroids.