Nanotechonology for Drug Targeting

Abstract

Nanoparticles (Np) and liposomes (L) were engineered obtaining selective drug delivery systems able to cross BBB and to treat cancer diseases, respectively. The first goal was achieved conjugating a specific epta-glucopeptide (g7) to polymeric nanoparticles (Np). The data related the nociceptive activity showed the ability of g7-Np to cross the BBB and to release loperamide in the brain. To reach the second goal we have recently proposed the immunoliposomes (ILp) for tumor-targeted delivery of gene material (particularly SiRNAs), which are selected in vitro for the specific antineoplastic activity against herpesvirus-associated B-cell lymphomas, particularly HHV8+ Primary Effusion Lymphoma (PEL). In the preliminary study we have prepared and characterized the ILp direct to PEL cells (BCBL-1 cell line). The cellular trafficking of the encapsulated model FITC-ODN obtained by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy was evaluated by the ability of the new carriers to selectively interact with cells. The data were compared with the different behaviour of these liposomes respect to the un-targeted cationic and pegylated liposomes.