Chitosan Nanoparticles for Melanoma Cancer Treatment by Photodynamic Therapy and Electrochemotherapy Using Aminolevulinic Acid Derivatives

Author(s)

Ferreira, D. M. ^{[1, 2]} ; Saga, Y. Y. ^[2] ; Aluicio-Sarduy, E. ^[3] ; Tedesco, A. C. ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, Dept Ciencias Farmaceut, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Ctr Nanotecnol & Engn Tecidual, Dept Quim, Lab Fotobiol & Fotomed, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil

^[3] Inst Super Tecnol & Ciencias Aplicadas InSTEC, FCTN, Dept Radioquim, Havana 10600 - Cuba

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry; v. 20, n. 14, p. 1904-1911, MAY 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 16

Abstract

For some time Photodynamic Therapy and electrochemotherapy have been used as alternative therapies against skin cancer. The primary aim of this work was to develop, characterize, and evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity of new drug delivery systems based on chitosan nanoparticles containing aminolevulinic acid derivatives such as prodrug (5-ALA and its ester derivative 8-ALA). The second goal of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of a combination of classical Photodynamic Therapy and electrochemotherapy, which is routinely utilized to modulate and enhance the permeation of photosensitizers, prodrugs, and other active compounds through the skin, improving the efficiency of PDT in the treatment of cutaneous neoplasms. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/53719-4 - Use of nanocarriers containing photosensitive dyes and other derived and growing factors applied to the photodynamic process in the health areas
• Grantee: Antonio Claudio Tedesco
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants