Glioblastoma Treatment: A Comprehensive DoE Optimization of Cerepep-modified Nanodisc loaded with Docetaxel

Kristina Põšnograjeva – PhD student, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu; Giuseppe Portale – Professor, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen; Kaarel Kurm – Technician, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu; Tambet Teesalu – Professor, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu; Mohammad-Ali Shahbazi – Assistant Professor, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology, University Medical Center Groningen University of Groningen; Hélder Santos – Professor, Department of Biomaterials and Biomedical Technology, University Medical Center Groningen University of Groningen

Introduction:

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a prevalent primary malignant brain tumors causing 7.2% 5-year survival rate.¹ Improving drug penetration across brain blood barrier (BBB) is critical for enhancing GBM therapeutic effect. Therefore, we introduced a new cell-penetrating peptide, Cerepep, to assembly nanodisc (CND) whose small size can increase particle accumulation in tumor, and discoidal morphology can enhance transport efficacy from blood vessels to tissues compared with spherical nanoparticles.² Cerepep is expected to help CND cross BBB and bind with highly expressed low-density lipoprotein 1 receptor in GBM to increase the accumulation of encapsulated model drug docetaxel (DTX) in tumor site.