Filippo Rossi
Politecnico di Milano
DECORATED NANOGELS AS PROMISING TOOLS FOR SELECTIVE DRUG DELIVERY IN SPINAL CORD INJURY
Abstract
The sSpinal cord injury is an invalidating disease that involves the damage of the spinal cord or the nerves connecting the spine to the central and peripheral nervous system. A possible therapeutic approach is represented by the possibility to modulate the inflammatory response through the release of drugs in the damaged zone selectively within different cell lines using colloids as Trojan horses [2]. In this work we prepared different functionalized nanogels using the procedures written in previous works. Biological tests proved that functionalized nanogels were able to be selectively internalized in microglia or astrocytes, that their degradation promoted drug release and the use of anti-inflammatory molecules as delivered drug were able to mitigate the pain state. In vivo subsequent assays on diseased mouse confirmed the result obtained in vitro and the potentiality of this treatment.
Francesca Re
CNLab, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca
TRANSLATIONAL NANOMEDICINE FOR GLIOBLASTOMA
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a serious medical issue in the brain oncology field due to its aggressiveness and recurrence. Among the different innovative approaches investigated, nanoparticles gain attention because of their versatility, which is key in allowing precise targeting of brain tumors and increasing targeted drug delivery to the brain, thus minimizing adverse effects. In this context, we have developed nanoparticles capable to deliver anti-tumor drugs across the blood-brain barrier, to target GBM cells and GBM stem cells, to be differentially exchange cells of tumour microenvironment via tunneling nanotubes and to release drugs in a controlled way (metalloproteases-sensitive nanoparticles). These nanoparticles have characterized in vitro and in vivo in GBM animal model. Moreover, we are developing implantable hydrogel for the release of nanoparticles directly in brain parenchyma.
