Advanced drug delivery 3 - PPC Flashcards

1
Q

What is a polymer protein conjugate?

A

Drug delivery system where there is a polymer covalently conjugated to a protein

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2
Q

Protein polymer conjugate

A
  • The protein is the API
  • Single protein has one or more polymeric chains attached (usually multiple).
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3
Q

Polymer drug conjugate

A
  • API is typically low MW molecules like traditional anticancer drugs e.g. dox, paclitaxel
  • Each polymeric chain carries several drug molecules
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4
Q

Similarity between PDC and PPC

A

Both have covalent conjugation between API and polymer

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5
Q

Problems with using proteins as therapeutic agents

A
  • Aggregation
  • Difficulty in formulation
  • Immunogenicity
  • Proteolytic degradation
  • Rapid renal excretion
  • Solubility
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6
Q

Rapid renal excretion

A
  • Smaller proteins are rapidly excreted
  • Too quick = insufficient therapeutic action
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7
Q

Aggregation

A

Occurs before or after administration

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8
Q

Solubility

A

Needs to be soluble in blood - some proteins arent.

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9
Q

Advantages of PPC

A
  • Protection
  • Increased hydrodynamic volume, therefore reduced renal clearance.
  • Reduced protein aggregation
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10
Q

PPC: Protection

A
  • Polymeric chains protect proteins from proteolytic degradation
  • Also protects the body from unwanted characteristics of the protein e.g. immunogeneicity
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11
Q

Increased hydrodynamic volume and reduced renal clearance

A

Conjugated protein vs Native protein:
Conjugated protein = increased hydrodynamic volume = slower renal excretion because of the larger size

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12
Q

Reduced protein aggregation

A
  • Attaching polymeric chains prevents protein aggregation because of steric hindrence.
  • However they may interfere with interaction with molecular target
  • To avoid this, conjugate polymer in areas that are not key to the binding site
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13
Q

General structure of protein

A
  • Amine group
  • Alpha carbon
  • Variable R group (side chain)
  • Carboxylic acid
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14
Q

What does the polymer bind to in a protien

A
  • The side chain: either C terminus or N terminius
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15
Q

Lysine group

A
  • Use to conjugate polymers with a carboxyl group
  • Side chain of lysine has an amino group that the polymer can bind to.
  • Available in 2 forms:
    NH2
    NH3+
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16
Q

pH of Lysine

A
  • Must be used at a pH above the pKa, so that it is in the unprotonated form.
  • Above 9.3-9.5
  • The unprotonated (NH2) form is suitable for conjugation
  • Participates in a nucleophilic attack reaction; lone pair reacts with COOH
  • pH ~10, not too high to denature protein
17
Q

Monofunctional polymer

A

Polymer with one site for possible reaction in its chain.

18
Q

Polyfunctional polymer

A

Polymer with several functional groups in its side chain so has several points for potential reaction

19
Q

Which type of polymer is best for PPC

A
  • Monofunctional
  • Polyfunctional can end up cross-linking with several proteins and form a very heterogeneous mixture
20
Q

Which type of polymer is best for PDC

A
  • Polyfunctional
21
Q

Why polyfunctional polymers are not used in PPC

A
  • High variability
  • Form large conjugates from cross linking with several proteins
  • Difficult characterisation
22
Q

What enzyme is ideal for protein conjugation

A
  • PEG, in its methoxy form (mPEG)
23
Q

Why should PEG be in its methoxy form?

A
  • Only one reactive group (OH) - monofunctional
  • Water soluble
  • Soluble in some organic solvents
  • Non-toxic
  • Broadly non-immunogenic (although research is now indicating some immunogenecity)
24
Q

Which enzyme is most stable

A
  1. mPEG2-trypsin
    - It is PEGylated with branched PEG
  2. mPEG-trypsin
  3. Native trypsin
    - Not stable
    - Very fast degdradation
25
Q

Example of PEGylated protein for cancer

A

Pegaspargase (Oncospar)
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Increases half life of L-Asparginase in body

26
Q

3 catgeories of proteins used for therapeutic applications

A
  • Enzymes
  • Singalling proteins
  • Antibodies
27
Q

What is the advantage of using branched PEG compared to linear PEG?

A

More protection of the protein from enzyme degradation

28
Q

Mention one point in the protein where you can have polymer-conjugation

A

Amino terminus, carboxylic acid terminus

29
Q

What is pKa

A

Shows the strength of an acid

30
Q

Lysine group

A
  • Use to conjugate polymer with carboxyl group