Development of complementary liposomal drug delivery systems of DNase for immediate and sustained of CF

Clarinda Costa – Assistant Professor, University of Limerick; Manuela Colla Carvalherio – Researcher, Universidade de Lisboa; Ana Aguiar-Ricardo – Professor, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa; Paula Leandro – Assistant Professor, Universidade de Lisboa; Sandra Simões – Principal Investigator, Universidade de Lisboa; Luis Padrela – Associate Professor, University of Limerick; Maria Luísa Corvo – Principal Investigator, Universidade de Lisboa

Introduction:

Cystic fibrosis (CF) patients have impaired lung function due to thick mucus, rich in extracellular DNA (eDNA). DNase, is used to cleave eDNA but is cleared rapidly from the lungs, requiring frequent administration via nebulization (1). Dry powder forms (DPFs) of two complementary lipid-based drug delivery systems (DDS) of DNase were developed allowing for 1) an immediate therapeutic effect provided by DNase covalently linked to the (outer)-surface of PEGylated liposomes (DNase-enzymosomes), and 2) a sustained therapeutic effect provided by DNase encapsulated inside PEGylated liposomes capable of sustained release (DNase-liposomes), for delivery to the lungs using a dry powder inhaler.