Nanotechonology for drug targeting

Nanoparticles (Np) and liposomes (L) were engineered obtaining selective drug delivery systemsable to cross BBB and to treat cancer diseases, respectively. The first goal was achievedconjugating a specific epta-glucopeptide (g7) to polymeric nanoparticles (Np). The data related thenociceptive activity showed the ability of g7-Np to cross the BBB and to release loperamide in thebrain.To reach the second goal we have recently proposed the immunoliposomes (ILp) for tumor-targeteddelivery of gene material (particularly SiRNAs), which are selected in vitro for the specificantineoplastic activity against herpesvirus-associated B-cell lymphomas, particularly HHV8+Primary Effusion Lymphoma (PEL). In the preliminary study we have prepared and characterizedthe ILp direct to PEL cells (BCBL-1 cell line). The cellular trafficking of the encapsulated modelFITC-ODN obtained by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy was evaluated by the ability ofthe new carriers to selectively interact with cells. The data were compared with the differentbehaviour of these liposomes respect to the un-targeted cationic and pegylated liposomes.