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Projeto de investigação
Personal Protective equipment for active filtration of microorganisms based on electrospun nanofiber membranes<br><br>
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Localized cancer photodynamic therapy approach based on core–shell electrospun nanofibers
Publication . Costa, Sofia M.; Lourenço, Leandro M.O.; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Calejo, Isabel; Barrias, Cristina C.; Fangueiro, Raul; Ferreira, Diana P.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been considered a promising treatment for several types of cancer,
including cervical cancer. Localized drug delivery systems (DDSs) based on nanofibers produced by
electrospinning have emerged as a powerful platform to carry and deliver photosensitizers (PSs) onto or
adjacent to the tumor site, thereby promoting higher therapeutic efficacy and reducing the side effects
to healthy tissues associated with systemic administration. In this work, core–shell electrospun nanofibers
were produced using biodegradable polymers, such as poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and gelatin (Gel),
to act as a localized DDS for the treatment of cervical cancer using PDT. The synthesized porphyrin
(Por) was able to generate singlet oxygen (FD = 0.62) and displayed higher phototoxicity against
tumor cells compared with healthy cells. The developed PVA–Gel membranes were fully characterized,
revealing defect-free nanofibers with a core–shell structure. Different Por concentrations were added to
the fibers’ core, and their presence and uniform distribution within the nanofibers were confirmed. The
Por release profile from nanofibers showed an initial fast release stage, followed by continuous release
for at least 9 days. The PVA–Gel + Por core–shell nanofibers exhibited a higher inhibition of cancer cell
proliferation under light irradiation when compared to dark and a higher phototoxic effect against tumor
cells compared with non-tumor cells. Overall, this study demonstrates the great potential of core–shell
nanofibers to be used as localized DDSs of PSs for the treatment of cervical cancer.
Electrospun Fibrous Architectures for Localized Delivery of Photosensitizers in Cancer Therapy
Publication . Gomes, Cátia V.; Costa, Sofia M.; Oliveira, João S.; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Lourenço, Leandro M. O.; Fangueiro, Raul; Ferreira, Diana P.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising localized strategy for the treatment of cervical cancer, ranking as the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. The integration of photosensitizers (PSs) in localized drug delivery systems (DDSs), particularly in electrospun nanofibers, holds tremendous potential to overcome the drawbacks of their systemic administration. Exploring multilayer fibrous architectures provides a versatile therapeutic platform to design the next generation of localized DDS. In this work, localized implants for cancer treatment using PDT were developed using polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), chitosan (CS) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) as biopolymers and a porphyrin (Por) as PS, following two approaches: blended PHA/Por electrospun microfibers and multilayered membranes (PHA–Por/CS/PEO) produced by sequential electrospinning. The synthesized Por displayed higher cytotoxicity in light compared to dark against tumor cells. All the developed membranes were characterized regarding their morphology, wettability, absorption and fluorescence properties. PHA–Por membranes exhibited overall uniform fibrous morphologies with successful Por incorporation. Nonetheless, they presented a highly hydrophobic surface, compromising the Por release and cell–material interactions. In contrast, multilayer PHA–Por/CS/PEO membranes demonstrated enhanced hydrophilicity and enabled sustained Por release. Upon light irradiation, these membranes induced a significantly greater inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation (29.61%) compared to dark conditions (6.21%), confirming their photodynamic activity.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
3599-PPCDT
Número da atribuição
DRI/India/0447/2020