Development of polyethylene glycol-polycaprolactone polymer vesicles for L-Asparaginase

A L-Asparaginase (ASNase) é um importante agente quimioterapêutico utilizado para o tratamento da leucemia linfoblástica aguda (ALL) há mais de 40 anos. No entanto, devido à origem biológica da ASNase, enzima produzida por Escherichia coli, problemas como a imunogenicidade e baixa meia vida-plasmática devem ser considerados. Com o objetivo de minimizar essas desvantagens, várias ASNases homólogas bem como formulações de ASNase de E. coli foram investigadas. Nenhuma das formulações desenvolvidas, entretanto, foi capaz de resolver definitivamente esses problemas associados à sua origem. Nesse sentido, considerando os recentes avanços na ciência de polímeros com a possibilidade do obtenção de vesículas poliméricas usando copolímeros, este trabalho concentrou-se no desenvolvimento de polimerossomos de poli(etileno glicol)-b-poli(ε-caprolactona) (PEG-PCL) para encapsular a ASNase. Diversas condições experimentais foram investigadas e, ao final, os polimerossomos foram produzidos pela técnica de hidratação do filme polimérico utilizando a centrifugação como técnica de pós-filme para remoção de copolímero precipitado, produzindo assim vesículas polímericas de 120 a 200nm com PDI de aproximadamente 0,250. A eficiência de encapsulação da ASNase, utilizando as metodologias de centrifugação ou cromatografia de exclusão molecular, revelou taxas de encapsulação de 20-25% e 1 a 7%, repectivamente. Esses resultados apontam a importância de se determinar a eficiência de encapsulação por cromatografia de exclusão molecular ou método direto no caso de nanoestruturas auto-agregadas formadas por copolímeros, devido a valores superestimados com o emprego da centrifugação. Ainda que estudos complementares se façam necessários para liberação da enzima encapsulada ou penetração da L-asparagina nas vesículas, nossos resultados demonstram o potencial de polimerossomos para veiculação de ASNase, bem como de outras proteínas terapêuticas.L-Asparaginase (ASNase) is an important chemotherapeutic agent used for the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for more than 40 years. However, due to the biological origin of ASNase (produced by Escherichia coli) some drawbacks such as immunogenicity and low plasma half life are present. In order to minimize the disadvantages, several ASNases proteoforms and formulations of E. coli ASNase were investigated. However, none of this formulations completely solved the main drawbacks of ASNase. In this sense, considering the recents advances in polymers science with the possibility to develop polymeric vesicles using copolymers, this work aimed at the development of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-PCL) vesicles to encapsulate ASNase. Different experimental conditions were investigated and, the final polymersomes formulation was prepared by film hydratation using centrifugation as a post-film technique to remove the bulky coplymer. Polymeric vesicles of 120 to 200nm with PDI of approximately, 0.250 were obtained. The encapsulation efficiency of ASNase was determined indirectly by centrifugation and directly by size exclusion chromatography, resulting in encapsulation rates of 20-25% and 1 to 7%, respectively. These results indicate the importance of determining the efficiency of encapsulation by size exclusion chromatography or direct method in the case of self-aggregated nanostructures formed by copolymers, due to values overestimated with the use of centrifugation. Our results point to the potential of polymersomes for ASNase delivery, as well as other therapeutic proteins. Nonetheless, complimentary studies are still necessary for ASNase release or L-asparagine penetration into the vesicles

Nanostructures For Protein Drug Delivery

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Use of nanoscale devices as carriers for drugs and imaging agents has been extensively investigated and successful examples can already be found in therapy. In parallel, recombinant DNA technology together with molecular biology has opened up numerous possibilities for the large-scale production of many proteins of pharmaceutical interest, reflecting in the exponentially growing number of drugs of biotechnological origin. When we consider protein drugs, however, there are specific criteria to take into account to select adequate nanostructured systems as drug carriers. In this review, we highlight the main features, advantages, drawbacks and recent developments of nanostructures for protein encapsulation, such as nanoemulsions, liposomes, polymersomes, single-protein nanocapsules and hydrogel nanoparticles. We also discuss the importance of nanoparticle stabilization, as well as future opportunities and challenges in nanostructures for protein drug delivery.4205218Coordination for Higher Level Graduate Improvements (CAPES/Brazil)National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/Brazil)State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP/Brazil) [2013/08617-7, 2013/16588-7, 2014/01983-0, 2014/10456-4]FAPESPCNPqCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

POLIMEROSSOMOS VERSUS LIPOSSOMOS: A EVOLUÇÃO DA “BALA MÁGICA”

Polymeric vesicles known as polymersomes are formed by the self-assemble of amphiphilic block copolymers and have structural organization similar to liposomes. However, polymersomes present higher physicochemical stability and structure versatility due to their polymeric nature. In this review we describe the main aspects related to the structure and applications of these systems for drug delivery

Nanostructures For Protein Drug Delivery

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Use of nanoscale devices as carriers for drugs and imaging agents has been extensively investigated and successful examples can already be found in therapy. In parallel, recombinant DNA technology together with molecular biology has opened up numerous possibilities for the large-scale production of many proteins of pharmaceutical interest, reflecting in the exponentially growing number of drugs of biotechnological origin. When we consider protein drugs, however, there are specific criteria to take into account to select adequate nanostructured systems as drug carriers. In this review, we highlight the main features, advantages, drawbacks and recent developments of nanostructures for protein encapsulation, such as nanoemulsions, liposomes, polymersomes, single-protein nanocapsules and hydrogel nanoparticles. We also discuss the importance of nanoparticle stabilization, as well as future opportunities and challenges in nanostructures for protein drug delivery.42205218Coordination for Higher Level Graduate Improvements (CAPES/Brazil)National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq/Brazil)State of Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP/Brazil) [2013/08617-7, 2013/16588-7, 2014/01983-0, 2014/10456-4]FAPESPCNPqCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Development and characterization of miltefosine-loaded polymeric micelles for cancer treatment

Miltefosine presents antineoplastic activity but high hemolytic potential. Its use in cancer has been limited to treating cutaneous metastasis of breast cancer. To decrease hemolytic potential, we developed a formulation of miltefosine-loaded polymeric micelles (PM) of the copolymer Pluronic-F127. A central composite design was applied and the analysis of variance showed that the optimum level of hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index predicted by the model and experimentally confirmed were 29 nm and 0.105, respectively. Thermal analyses confirmed that miltefosine was molecularly dispersed within PM. Pluronic-F127 PM with miltefosine 80 μM presented a significant reduction of hemolytic effect (80%, p < 0.05) in comparison to free drug. In vitro assays against HeLa carcinoma cells demonstrated similar cytotoxicity to free miltefosine and PM. Our results suggest that, by lowering hemolytic potential, miltefosine-loaded Pluronic-F127 PM a promising alternative to broaden this drug use in cancer therapy, as well as of other alkylphosphocholines.Fil: Valenzuela Oses, Johanna K.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: García, Mónica Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; ArgentinaFil: Feitosa, Valker A.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil. Institute for Technological Research; BrasilFil: Pachioni Vasconcelos, Juliana A.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Gomes-Filho, Sandro M.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Lourenço, Felipe R.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Cerize, Natalia N.P.. Institute for Technological Research; BrasilFil: Bassères, Daniela S.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Rangel-Yagui, Carlota O.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasi