[Engagement of students enrolled in fifth year of pharmacy studies in their academic or salaried pharmaceutical activities during the first period of lockout due to the COVID-19 pandemic (16th March-11th May 2020)]. / Engagement d'étudiants de cinquième année de pharmacie dans leurs activités pharmaceutiques, académiques et salariées, au cours de la première période de confinement liée à la pandémie de COVID-19 (16 mars­11 mai 2020).

OBJECTIVES: To characterize the engagement of students enrolled in the fifth year of pharmaceutical studies in the management of the health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and to identify some determinants of this engagement during this period. METHODS: With the health crisis, new missions have been entrusted during hospital internships, whereas certain internship sites were removed in hospitals and as part of the health service organization. In addition, some students who were no longer in internship returned to the hospital setting for helping in critical activities. Student engagement was studied with a questionnaire and focus groups including six or seven students in each group. RESULTS: Forty-three students participated to the study. The answers to the questionnaire highlighted that they were engaged, that they usually did not wait for compensation, and that most of them were satisfied by their activity during the crisis. The thematic analysis demonstrated that despite a feeling of frustration, which was often associated with the interruption of rewarded activities, and despite a stress due to the particular context, student engagement was supported by a better consideration of the pharmacist's role as a professional in public health and by a better acknowledgement of this role by other health professionals. CONCLUSION: This level of engagement is particularly encouraging because it is the witness of the ability of pharmacists to mobilize for general interest, even in adverse context.

Successful treatment of a recurrent Aspergillus niger otomycosis with local application of voriconazole.

Fungal otitis (otomycosis) is a common infection encountered by otolaryngologists. Nevertheless, its management can be challenging because of its high recurrence rate and of the limited therapeutic options. A 45-year-old woman suffered from recurrent otomycosis. The ineffectiveness of successive antibiotic cures and repeated topical treatments with nystatin and then with econazole cream led to perform microbiological analyses. Culture of ear swab grew Aspergillus niger. The use of a 1% voriconazole sterile solution previously validated for treatment of eye infections was considered after ensuring the absence of known ototoxic effects of the antifungal and of the excipients. The patient was advised to apply locally this voriconazole solution daily for 14 days (3 drops, 3-4 times a day). Full recovery was obtained at the end of the treatment, and no relevant side effects were noticed. More than one year after completion of therapy, there was no recurrence. Our observation shows that voriconazole 1% solution is an interesting option for treating otomycosis which failed to respond to usual therapeutic options. Further prospective studies are now warranted to confirm these findings.

Injectable nanomedicine hydrogel for local chemotherapy of glioblastoma after surgical resection.

Glioblastoma (GBM) treatment includes, when possible, surgical resection of the tumor followed by radiotherapy and oral chemotherapy with temozolomide, however recurrences quickly develop around the resection cavity borders leading to patient death. We hypothesize that the local delivery of Lauroyl-gemcitabine lipid nanocapsule based hydrogel (GemC12-LNC) in the tumor resection cavity of GBM is a promising strategy as it would allow to bypass the blood brain barrier, thus reaching high local concentrations of the drug. The cytotoxicity and internalization pathways of GemC12-LNC were studied on different GBM cell lines (U251, T98-G, 9L-LacZ, U-87 MG). The GemC12-LNC hydrogel was well tolerated when injected in mouse brain. In an orthotopic xenograft model, after intratumoral administration, GemC12-LNC significantly increased mice survival compared to the controls. Moreover, its ability to delay tumor recurrences was demonstrated after perisurgical administration in the GBM resection cavity. In conclusion, we demonstrate that GemC12-LNC hydrogel could be considered as a promising tool for the post-resection management of GBM, prior to the standard of care chemo-radiation.

Development and characterization of interleukin-18-loaded biodegradable microspheres.

Immunostimulation represents a promising approach designed to specifically eradicate malignant cells. Since glioma tumour cells hole up in the central nervous system (CNS) in a particularly inauspicious milieu to antitumour immune reactions we here propose a new strategy to revert the properties of this microenvironment by administering an antitumour cytokine into the CNS tumour itself. Thus, biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) sustained-release microspheres for stereotaxic implantation loaded with interleukin-18 (IL-18), that is known to exert antitumour activity and trigger immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity, were developed. Different tests for assessing IL-18 bioactivity were set-up and evaluated. A specific bioassay was considered as the most reliable test. The stability and integrity of IL-18 was then verified during the encapsulation process. Consequently, two procedures of IL-18 encapsulation in PLGA microparticles (W/O/W and S/O/W) were investigated. As determined by radiolabelling studies using 125I-IL-18 and a continuous flow system, the in vitro release profile of IL-18 was optimum with S/O/W method with a moderate burst effect and a subsequent progressive discharge of 16.5+/-8.4 ng/day during the next 21 days against 6.1+/-4.2 ng/day with the W/O/W method. Considering analytical testing of IL-18 together with its preserved biological activity after release from microspheres, amounts of the active cytokine obtained with S/O/W method were relevant to plan in vivo evaluation to validate the therapeutic strategy.

Development of new polymer-based particulate systems for anti-glioma vaccination.

Biodegradable and biocompatible microspheres represent a promising alternative to conventional adjuvants for anti-tumour vaccination. Focusing on glioma, we developed two poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA)-based particulate systems presenting tumour antigens associated with plasma membranes or with cell lysates. Glioma cell fractions were prepared for adsorption onto poly-D-lysine (PDL)-coated PLGA microspheres formulated using a double-emulsion procedure. Adsorption was followed by (125)I-radiolabelling, Western blot and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Only a panel (34%) of the proteins isolated from both cell fractions adsorbed onto PDL-coated PLGA microspheres. The integrity of the epitopes after loading was preserved, as shown by identification of plasma membrane and cytoplasmic markers. Finally, one of the major potential advantages of those particulate systems resides in the fact they not only serve as injectable adjuvant matrices presenting tumour antigens to antigen presenting cells, but also as potential reservoirs for controlled delivery of active immunostimulant molecules.

Lauroyl-gemcitabine-loaded lipid nanocapsule hydrogel for the treatment of glioblastoma.

The local delivery of chemotherapeutic agents is a very promising strategy for the treatment of glioblastoma (GBM). Gemcitabine is a chemotherapeutic agent that has a different mechanism of action compared to alkylating agents and shows excellent radio-sensitizing properties. So, we developed an injectable gel-like nanodelivery system consisting in lipid nanocapsules loaded with anticancer prodrug lauroyl-gemcitabine (GemC12-LNC) in order to obtain a sustained and local delivery of this drug in the brain. In this study, the GemC12-LNC has been formulated and characterized and the viscoelastic properties of the hydrogel were evaluated after extrusion from 30G needles. This system showed a sustained and prolonged in vitro release of the drug over one month. GemC12 and the GemC12-LNC have shown increased in vitro cytotoxic activity on U-87 MG glioma cells compared to the parent hydrophilic drug. The GemC12-LNC hydrogel reduced significantly the size of a subcutaneous human GBM tumor model compared to the drug and short-term tolerability studies showed that this system is suitable for local treatment in the brain. In conclusion, this proof-of-concept study demonstrated the feasibility, safety and efficiency of the injectable GemC12-LNC hydrogel for the local treatment of GBM.

In vivo evaluation of paclitaxel-loaded lipid nanocapsules after intravenous and oral administration on resistant tumor.

AIM & METHODS: The aim of the present work was to encapsulate paclitaxel (Ptx) in various lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) formulations and then to compare their pharmacokinetics and efficacy on a subcutaneous isograft model in rats. RESULTS: Three different Ptx formulations were obtained. Drug payloads ranged from 1.32 to 3.62 mg Ptx/g of formulation. After oral administration the area under concentration-time curve was higher (p < 0.05) if Ptx was encapsulated, (1,2 Distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[amino(PEG)] (DSPE-PEG-NH2)) LNCs displaying the highest area under concentration-time curve (p < 0.05). Efficacy was better than control for standard LNCs after oral administration (p < 0.05) and for (DSPE-PEG-NH2) LNCs after intravenous administration. Despite good absorption, (DSPE-PEG-NH2) LNCs failed to remain efficient after oral route. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of efficacy studies paired to pharmacokinetic studies for nanomedicines.

Oxaliplatin loaded PLAGA microspheres: design of specific release profiles.

Oxaliplatin loaded PLAGA microspheres have been prepared by solvent extraction process. Parameters affecting the release kinetics in vitro have been studied in order to design specific release profiles suitable for direct intra-tumoral injection. By varying the nature and the relative proportions of different polymers we managed to prepare microspheres with good encapsulation efficiency (75-90%) and four different release profiles: zero order kinetics (type II) and the classical sigmoïd release profile with three different sizes of plateau and burst. These results, if correlated with in vivo activity, are promising to enhance effectiveness of local tumor treatment.

Reciprocal competition between lipid nanocapsules and P-gp for paclitaxel transport across Caco-2 cells.

Lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) have been shown to improve paclitaxel (Ptx) bioavailability and transport across an intestinal barrier model. In the present study, the interaction between P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and LNC transport across Caco-2 cells are investigated. Transport experiments have been performed on Caco-2 cells displaying different P-gp activities (early and later cell passages). The permeability of Ptx encapsulated in LNCs has been studied in the presence of P-gp inhibitors (verapamil and vinblastin) or unloaded LNCs. The uptake of dye-labelled LNCs was also observed in the presence of the same inhibitors. It was found that the permeability of Ptx varied depending on the passages with later ones showing higher absolute values (5.74+/-1.21 cms(-1) vs 133.41+/-5.74 cms(-1)). P-gp inhibition obtained with verapamil or vinblastin improved Ptx transport up to 98%. LNCs have also demonstrated their capacity to increase their own transport. Experiments performed with dye-labelled LNCs demonstrated an enhancement of the uptake of dye (Nile red), only in the presence of verapamil. These results demonstrated an effect of P-gp on the transport of Ptx when loaded in LNCs and support a direct effect of P-gp on their endocytosis in Caco-2 cells. These finding may assist in the development of new nanomedicine for oral administration.

The gastrointestinal stability of lipid nanocapsules.

The in vitro gastrointestinal stability of lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) was studied in different media. The size of LNCs was determined in simulated gastric and intestinal media. In updated fasted state simulated intestinal fluid (FaSSIF-V2) and updated fed state simulated intestinal fluid (FeSSIF-V2) media, the encapsulation ratio of paclitaxel-loaded LNCs was also measured. The size of LNCs was not modified after 3h in simulated gastric fluid and simulated intestinal fluid described by the United States Pharmacopeia, in FaSSIF, FaSSIF-V2, and in FeSSIF. Moreover, in the presence of pancreatin in FeSSIF-V2, a decreased above 30% of the loading of paclitaxel was observed. This was attributed to the presence of lipase in pancreatin that could interact with Lipoid (a mixture of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine), present on the shell of LNC. As a conclusion, LNCs were stable on gastric medium and fasted state intestinal medium.

Lipid nanocarriers improve paclitaxel transport throughout human intestinal epithelial cells by using vesicle-mediated transcytosis.

The use of lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) has enabled an improvement of the oral bioavailability of paclitaxel (Ptx). However, mechanisms that support this recent observation are not yet understood. By focusing on the well defined in vitro Caco-2 model, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the transport of LNCs across a model intestinal barrier. Firstly, four sizes of paclitaxel or dye (Nile Red)-loaded LNCs were formulated and LNCs with sizes between 26.3+/-2.7 nm and 132.7+/-5.5 nm were obtained. Different transport and uptake experiments were then performed across a Caco-2 cells culture model using these LNCs. Paclitaxel-loaded LNCs improved permeability of Ptx across intestinal epithelium compared with free Ptx or Taxol by a factor of 3.5. At 37 degrees C particle size did not influence transport efficiency. However, at 4 degrees C a decrease in Ptx transport was observed with increasing size of LNCs. Thus, with LNCs of 25 nm size, the apparent permeability coefficient (P(app)) was 5.3+/-1.1 cm s(-1) at 37 degrees C and 2.2+/-0.4 cm s(-1) at 4 degrees C. In comparison in LNCs of 130 nm size, the P(app) decreased from 5.8+/-0.8 cm s(-1) at 37 degrees C to 0.5+/-0.1 cm s(-1) at 4 degrees C. The uptake of LNCs by Caco-2 cells and the incapacity of LNCs to open tight junctions were also demonstrated. Furthermore, experiment transports were performed in the presence of different inhibitors of endocytosis. Findings indicated a reduction of Ptx transport of 30+/-6% when cell cholesterol was depleted, 65+/-12% when caveolae-mediated endocytosis was inhibited and 20+/-8% when clathrin-mediated endocytosis was inhibited. Finally, transmission electronic microscopy showed the presence of nano-objects on the basolateral side of the Caco-2 cell monolayers when LNCs were applied on the apical side.

The adaptation of lipid nanocapsule formulations for blood administration in animals.

In many cell-culture and animal models, the therapeutic effects of the entrapped drugs in lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) were preserved with low toxicity. These results allow foreseeing further preclinical efficiency and toxicity studies in animals. In this article, preliminary studies were performed to check the genetically modified organism (GMO) status of the LNCs components and to determine the effects of the acidity of the LNCs dispersions in acid-base balance in rats. Then, several freezing protocols to store paclitaxel-loaded LNCs dispersions for a 6-month period were compared. Results indicate that the Lipoïd S75-3 could not be certified GMO-free. The same soya bean lecithin certified to be GMO-free permitted to produce LNCs with expected characteristics. The blood administration of blank LNCs dispersions in rats induced no modifications of blood acidity, but a significant decrease of the base excess was observed. Injections of LNCs dispersions in animals might induce iatrogenic acidosis. We finally demonstrated that the best protocol to store LNCs dispersion for a 6-month period is by freezing in liquid nitrogen. This protocol minimized the characteristics modifications and interrupted the drug-release phenomenon. These original data are expected to prepare of LNCs dispersions well adapted for i.v. administration in animals.