Ανάπτυξη καινοτόμων πεπτιδικών φορέων με ιδιότητες αυτοσυναρμογής για τοπική χορήγηση φαρμάκων

This study focused on developing innovative self-assembling peptide carriers for localized drug delivery, aiming to achieve prolonged therapeutic effects while minimizing side effects. The research evaluated amphiphilic peptide hydrogels as drug carriers for ocular delivery of timolol maleate and for local delivery of chemotherapeutic agents curcumin and doxorubicin in treating glioblastoma. The peptide hydrogels demonstrated safety and efficacy in enhancing the bioavailability of timolol, achieving sustained intraocular pressure reduction. Additionally, the hydrogels ensured prolonged release and increased intracellular uptake of doxorubicin in glioblastoma cells. The synergistic chemotherapeutic effectiveness of co-delivering doxorubicin and curcumin was confirmed in vitro in head and neck cancer cells and in vivo in immunodeficient mice, resulting in significant tumor size reduction. The findings supported the hypothesis that self-assembling peptide hydrogels effectively serve as localized drug delivery systems, ensuring extended release and satisfactory therapeutic efficacy.