BIOMIMETIC SELENIUM NANOPARTICLES CONTAINING DOXORUBICIN FOR THE TREATMENT OF NEUROBLASTOMA

• Grant number: 25/13296-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Valtencir Zucolotto
• Grantee: Marcela Eduarda Hernandes Oliveira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Física de São Carlos (IFSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Neuroblastoma (NB) is an extracranial solid neoplasia that predominantly affects the pediatric population, presenting highly heterogeneous clinical behavior and a significant rate of metastasis at early stages. Classified as the third most common childhood cancer, high-risk NB is often refractory to conventional treatments and associated with poor prognoses. Doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline widely used in chemotherapy protocols for NB, exerts its cytotoxic effects through topoisomerase II interference and oxidative stress generation. However, its efficacy is limited by an unfavorable pharmacokinetic profile, characterized by low tumor selectivity, rapid systemic clearance, and cumulative toxicity-particularly cardiotoxicity.In this context, nanomedicine emerges as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) stand out for their biocompatibility, antioxidant properties, and ability to selectively induce apoptosis in tumor cells through redox modulation. When functionalized with tumor cell membranes -forming biomimetic nanoparticles- these structures acquire homotypic targeting capabilities, enhancing tumor specificity, reducing immunogenicity, and increasing stability in biological environments. This project proposes to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of biomimetic selenium nanoparticles functioning as doxorubicin carriers in in vitro neuroblastoma models. The central hypothesis is based on the synergy between the cytotoxic action of DOX and the oxidative stress induced by SeNPs, resulting in a dual therapeutic effect, potentiated by a functionalized delivery system that enhances tumor selectivity and reduces systemic side effects. This approach offers significant gains in therapeutic efficacy and may represent a major advancement in the development of precision therapies for aggressive pediatric cancers.