Master's degree (2021) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). Works in the area of radiopharmacy and pharmaceutical technology, focusing on the development of radiolabeled nanosystems for application in the diagnosis/treatment of tumors. Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) (2018), experience in pharmaceutical care at the Northwest District Pharmacy of Belo Horizonte. Experience in radiolabeling of nanocomposites and biological evaluation of their effectiveness as radiotracers.
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Cancer Research, Pharmaceutical Science, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics, Drug Discovery
Irinotecan-Loaded Polymeric Micelles as a Promising Alternative to Enhance Antitumor Efficacy in Colorectal Cancer Therapy Fernanda Lapa Campos, Janaina de Alcântara Lemos, Caroline Mari Ramos Oda, Juliana de Oliveira Silva, Renata Salgado Fernandes, et al. Polymers, 2022 Colorectal cancer has been considered a worldwide public health problem since current treatments are often ineffective. Irinotecan is a frontline chemotherapeutic agent that has dose-limiting side effects that compromise its therapeutic potential. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a novel, targeted drug delivery system with high therapeutic efficacy and an improved safety profile. Here, micellar formulations composed of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethyleneglycol)-2000] (DSPE-mPEG2k) containing irinotecan were proposed as a strategy for colorectal cancer therapy. Firstly, the irinotecan-loaded micelles were prepared using the solvent evaporation method. Then, micelles were characterized in terms of size, polydispersity, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, and release kinetics. Cytotoxicity and in vivo antitumor activity were evaluated. The micelles showed size around 13 nm, zeta potential near neutral (−0.5 mV), and encapsulation efficiency around 68.5% (irinotecan 3 mg/mL) with a sustained drug release within the first 8 h. The micelles were evaluated in a CT26 tumor animal model showing inhibition of tumor growth (89%) higher than free drug (68.7%). Body weight variation, hemolytic activity, hematological, and biochemical data showed that, at the dose of 7.5 mg/kg, the irinotecan-loaded micelles have low toxicity. In summary, our findings provide evidence that DSPE-mPEG2k micelles could be considered potential carriers for future irinotecan delivery and their possible therapeutic application against colorectal cancer.
