Development of drug delivery carriers for photodynamic therapy using peptides exhibiting photoresponsive reversible self-aggregation

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K20202
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 90120:Biomaterials-related
• Research Institution: Kyushu University
• Principal Investigator: Suyama Keitaro 九州大学, 基幹教育院, 助教 (60707222)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: エラスチン様ペプチド / 温度応答性分子 / 光応答性分子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

ELPs (elastin-like peptides) are synthetic peptide derived from elastin and possess excellent biodegradability and biocompatibility because they consist of natural amino acids. ELPs exhibit temperature-dependent reversible self-assembly (coacervation) characteristics. The aim of this study was to develop peptide-based biomaterials applicable to cancer therapy, especially photodynamic therapy. We have previously reported the ELPs that exhibits temperature responsiveness with small molecular weight. In this stugy, we attempted to develop the ELP analogs that combined with light-responsive cancer cell injury activity with the ability to deliver drugs to cancer cells by combining molecules that exhibit structural changes in response to light.

Free Research Field

生物化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

光線力学療法は、侵襲性が非常に低い、腫瘍周辺の臓器機能の温存を可能とする先端治療法であり、麻酔を安全に施すことができない等の手術が困難な場合や、臓器温存が必要な場合に必要となる。一方で、ELPは生体や環境にやさしい生体分子素材であり、その温度依存的な自己集合特性を利用し、薬物輸送担体としての応用が期待されている。本研究では、温度と光で自己集合を制御可能な新しい薬物輸送担体を開発し、光線力学療法に適用可能な新しい生体分子素材の開発を目標として行った。