IDP-410: a Novel Therapeutic Peptide that Alters N-MYC Stability and Reduces Angiogenesis and Tumor Progression in Glioblastomas.

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most frequent and highly aggressive brain tumors, being resistant to all cytotoxic and molecularly targeted agents tested so far. There is, therefore, an urgent need to find novel therapeutic approaches and/or alternative targets to bring treatment options to patients. Here, we first show that GBMs express high levels of N-MYC protein, a transcription factor involved in normal brain development. A novel stapled peptide designed to specifically target N-MYC protein monomer, IDP-410, is able to impair the formation of N-MYC/MAX complex and reduce the stability of N-MYC itself. As a result, the viability of GBM cells is compromised. Moreover, the efficacy is found dependent on the levels of expression of N-MYC. Finally, we demonstrate that IDP-410 reduces GBM growth in vivo when administered systemically, both in subcutaneous and intracranial xenografts, reducing the vascularization of the tumors, highlighting a potential relationship between the function of N-MYC and the expression of mesenchymal/angiogenic genes. Overall, our results strengthen the view of N-MYC as a therapeutic target in GBM and strongly suggest that IDP-410 could be further developed to become a first-in-class inhibitor of N-MYC protein, affecting not only tumor cell proliferation and survival, but also the interplay between GBM cells and their microenvironment.

Characterization of liposomal carriers for the trans-scleral transport of Ranibizumab.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in the modern world. The standard treatment regimen for neovascular AMD is the monthly/bimonthly intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents such as ranibizumab or aflibercept. However, these repeated invasive injections can lead to sight-threatening complications. Sustained delivery by encapsulation of the drug in carriers is a way to reduce the frequency of these injections. Liposomes are biocompatible, non-toxic vesicular nanocarriers, which can be used to encapsulate therapeutic agents to provide sustained release. The protein encapsulation was performed by a modified dehydration-rehydration (DRV) method. The liposomes formed were characterized for size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, stability, in vitro release, and ex vivo release profiles. In addition, the localization of the liposomes themselves was studied ex vivo. Entrapment-efficiency of ranibizumab into 100-nm liposomes varied from 14.7 to 57.0%. Negatively-charged liposomes prepared from DPPC-DPPG were found to have the slowest release with a low initial burst release compared to the rest of liposomal formulations. The ex vivo protein release was found to slower than the in vitro protein release for all samples. In conclusion, the DPPC-DPPG liposomes significantly improved the encapsulation and release profile of ranibizumab.