A biophysical study of an innovative nanoconstruct designed for theranostic against Multiple Myeloma

This project aims to develop a new cancer treatment (theranostic) specific for Multiple myeloma (MM) which is a hematologic malignancy, normally treated with pharmacological therapy and autologous stem cell transplant. The theranostic represents an innovative approach to cancer treatment, allowing to perform a diagnosis, monitoring drug response, and targeted cancer treatment. This project develops a stimuli-responsive Nanoparticle (NP) (made of ZnO) coupled to an anticancer drug (Carfilzomib) embedded in a shell of mixed synthetic and natural lipids and which is targeted with monoclonal antibodies. Preliminary data allowed us to study the shape, size and structure of the NP, as well as an interaction between the NP and the lipidic shell, however, the lipidic shell was not well characterized. With SANS due to the use of contrast variation, we can well characterize the lipid bilayer surrounding the NP core and its interaction with a membrane.