Advanced Polymeric Materials as Therapeutic Agents

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Technology, Manufacturing and Devices".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 1999

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Optics and Photonics Group, Physics Institute, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, Brazil
Interests: optical spectroscopy; biological systems; biomaterial; phototherapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Aveiro Institute of Materials, University of Aveiro, CICECO/UA, St. Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: biobased polymers; nanomaterials; cellulose; biomedical application
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Optics and Photonics Group, Institute of Physics, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande 79070-900, MS, Brazil
Interests: nanoparticles; cellulose; photodynamic therapy; naturals products

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are delighted to invite you to participate in a new Special Issue entitled “Advanced Polymeric Materials as Therapeutic Agents.” This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest breakthroughs in the realm of polymer-based therapeutic applications, an area that has witnessed remarkable growth and innovation in recent years.

Polymeric materials, whether derived from natural sources or synthetically engineered, have become indispensable in various medical domains, including imaging, diagnosis, and drug delivery. Their versatility enables the development of tailored solutions that enhance therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse systemic effects. As such, the exploration of polymer-based therapies presents unprecedented opportunities regarding the advancement of medical science. This Special Issue seeks to delve into subjects that align closely with the journal’s overarching themes. We welcome the submission of original research articles and reviews that delve into the multifaceted landscape of polymer-based therapeutics. While submissions may encompass a wide range of topics, the scope of this Special Issue includes the following:

  • Emerging trends and advancements in nanoparticle synthesis, elucidating novel techniques and materials that hold promise for future therapeutic applications.
  • Critical analyses of current challenges and future directions in photodiagnostics, elucidating the complexities and opportunities associated with harnessing light-based technologies for medical imaging and diagnosis.
  • The application of innovative methodologies and technologies in nanocarriers, exploring cutting-edge approaches to the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents with precision and efficacy.

Your insightful contributions will undoubtedly enrich this Special Issue and contribute to the collective advancement of knowledge in the field of polymer-based therapeutics. We eagerly anticipate the submission of your research, which promises to further our understanding and exploration of the transformative potential of polymeric materials in the realm of therapeutic interventions.

Prof. Dr. Anderson R. L. Caires
Dr. William Facchinatto
Dr. Regiane Godoy de Lima
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • biomaterial
  • biopolymers
  • photodynamic inactivation
  • nanotechnology
  • drug delivery
  • polymer–drug conjugates
  • spectroscopic characterization
  • theragnostic
  • tissue engineering

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

18 pages, 4388 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Thiolated Nanoparticles Based on Poly (Acrylic Acid) and Algal Cell Wall Biopolymers for the Delivery of the Receptor Binding Domain from SARS-CoV-2
by Ileana García-Silva, Susan Farfán-Castro, Sergio Rosales-Mendoza and Gabriela Palestino
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(7), 891; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16070891 - 2 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1172
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic required great efforts to develop efficient vaccines in a short period of time. However, innovative vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 virus are needed to achieve broad immune protection against variants of concern. Polymeric-based particles can lead to innovative vaccines, serving as stable, [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic required great efforts to develop efficient vaccines in a short period of time. However, innovative vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 virus are needed to achieve broad immune protection against variants of concern. Polymeric-based particles can lead to innovative vaccines, serving as stable, safe and immunostimulatory antigen delivery systems. In this work, polymeric-based particles called thiolated PAA/Schizo were developed. Poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) was thiolated with cysteine ethyl ester and crosslinked with a Schizochytrium sp. cell wall fraction under an inverse emulsion approach. Particles showed a hydrodynamic diameter of 313 ± 38 nm and negative Zeta potential. FT-IR spectra indicated the presence of coconut oil in thiolated PAA/Schizo particles, which, along with the microalgae, could contribute to their biocompatibility and bioactive properties. TGA analysis suggested strong interactions between the thiolated PAA/Schizo components. In vitro assessment revealed that thiolated particles have a higher mucoadhesiveness when compared with non-thiolated particles. Cell-based assays revealed that thiolated particles are not cytotoxic and, importantly, increase TNF-α secretion in murine dendritic cells. Moreover, immunization assays revealed that thiolated PAA/Schizo particles induced a humoral response with a more balanced IgG2a/IgG1 ratio. Therefore, thiolated PAA/Schizo particles are deemed a promising delivery system whose evaluation in vaccine prototypes is guaranteed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymeric Materials as Therapeutic Agents)
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