Photodynamic therapy associated with nanoprobes for treating cancer

Abstract

The project aims is to increase the efficiency of Breast Cancer treatment via Photodynamic Therapy. Photodynamic Therapy is an alternative form of cancer treatment that leads to less aggressive approach to the body. Unlike chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, photodynamic therapy offers good results without cumulative toxicity and it can be used in immunocompromised patients. This therapy is based on the interaction of a chemical photosensitizing (drug), activating light and molecular oxygen. In this context, the drug is inserted into the body and absorbed by all cells but it will be more concentrated in cancer cells as function of time. Then the altered region is illuminated with appropriated wavelength, leading to cascade reactions that results in cell death. Therefore, this drug is also accumulating in healthy cells at lower concentrations and there is a need to increase efficiency. Based on this need, this project aims to manufacture a drug carrier (a nanoparticle) functionalized with protein (epidermal growth factor) and a photosensitizer. The receiver of this protein is overexpressed in malignant breast tissue, and then the functionalized nanoparticles will accumulate in these cells. The tissue irradiation will activate the photosensitizer in the functionalized nanoparticles, leading to destruction of the tissue. The nanoprobes will be tested in cell culture. This proposal brings together the experiences of individual components in a multidisciplinary way, where knowledge of their areas will converge to the proposal success. (AU)