MnO2 and Cu2O nanoparticles as precursors for the increase of reactive oxygen species in tumor cells: coupling to ruthenium-phthalocyanines and the effect in Photodynamic Therapy

• Grant number: 24/04625-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Roberto Santana da Silva
• Grantee: Fernanda Pinto dos Santos
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hypoxia not only promotes tumor metastasis, but also strengthens tumor resistance to therapies that require the involvement of oxygen, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT). On this, taking advantage of the high reactivity of manganese dioxide (MnO2) and copper oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles, for hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in terms of O2 generation, we based the presented project. This research project focuses on the development and study related to the conjugation of MnO2 and Cu2O nanoparticles to ruthenium-phthalocyanine complexes, regarding the application in Photodynamic Therapy, for the treatment of cancer. The association of these MnO2 and Cu2O nanoparticles aims to enhance therapeutic effects in the tumor microenvironment. Considering the modulation of ruthenium-phthalocyanine complexes can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS), the development of the project is justified by the significant increase in singlet oxygen, in addition to nitric oxide. In this context, ruthenium-phthalocyanine complexes coupled to oxygen-generating nanoparticles can be considered a promising class of metallodrugs.