Title:Chitosan Nanoparticles for Melanoma Cancer Treatment by Photodynamic Therapy and Electrochemotherapy Using Aminolevulinic Acid Derivatives
VOLUME: 20 ISSUE: 14
Author(s):D. M. Ferreira, Y. Y. Saga, E. Aluicio- Sarduy and A.C. Tedesco
Affiliation:Center of Nanotechnology and Tissue Engineers, Photobiology and Photomedicine research Group, FFCLRP- Sao Paulo University, 14040-901, Ribeirao Preto-SP, Brazil.
Keywords:Photodynamic Therapy, electrochemotherapy, skin cancer, in vitro, chitosan nanoparticles, prodrugs, 5- aminolevulinc
acid (5-ALA), octilester of aminolevulinic acid (8-ALA), synergistic effect, cutaneous neoplasms.
Abstract:For some time Photodynamic Therapy and electrochemotherapy have been used as alternative therapies against
skin cancer. The primary aim of this work was to develop, characterize, and evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity of new
drug delivery systems based on chitosan nanoparticles containing aminolevulinic acid derivatives such as prodrug (5-ALA
and its ester derivative 8-ALA). The second goal of this study was to evaluate the synergistic effect of a combination of
classical Photodynamic Therapy and electrochemotherapy, which is routinely utilized to modulate and enhance the
permeation of photosensitizers, prodrugs, and other active compounds through the skin, improving the efficiency of PDT
in the treatment of cutaneous neoplasms.
