Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology Applied to Veterinary Oncology: Development of Folic Acid-Functionalized Liposomes for the Co-Encapsulation of Doxorubicin and Curcumin in the Treatment of Mammary Cancer in Female Dogs

• Grant number: 25/11484-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: January 01, 2026
• End date: December 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Eneida de Paula
• Grantee: Daniely Paspardelli
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/02479-6 - Lipid-based nanocarriers in antineoplastic chemotherapy: from experimental design and functionalization to in vivo testing, with the goal of enhancing efficacy and reducing the toxicity of breast cancer treatment, AP.R

Abstract

Mammary cancer is the most common neoplasm in female dogs, representing a significant challenge for veterinary medicine. Although surgery is the primary treatment, chemotherapy is essential for metastatic cases or as an adjuvant therapy. However, chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicin (DOX) present high toxicity, which limits their clinical application at higher doses. In this context, curcumin (CUR) emerges as a promising bioactive compound due to its antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Nevertheless, its low bioavailability restricts its therapeutic use. Pharmaceutical nanotechnology thus emerges as an innovative approach, allowing the co-encapsulation of DOX and CUR into liposomal nanocarriers functionalized with folic acid. Functionalization aims to promote active targeting to tumor cells that overexpress folate receptors, increasing the selectivity of the drug delivery system, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, and reducing side effects. This scientific initiation project aims to develop and characterize folic acid-functionalized liposomes for the co-encapsulation of DOX and CUR, targeting the treatment of mammary cancer in female dogs. Liposomal formulations will be developed and characterized in terms of particle size, particle number and polydispersity, surface charge, encapsulation efficiency, and stability. Sustained drug release will be evaluated through in vitro assays (using Franz diffusion cells), along with cytotoxicity testing in tumor cell lines. It is expected that the developed liposomes will offer greater selectivity toward tumor cells, reduce DOX-related adverse effects, and enhance CUR stability and bioavailability. The project aims to contribute to the advancement of oncological therapies in veterinary medicine, expanding treatment options for mammary cancer in female dogs. (AU)