Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chemical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008. / Committee Chair: Charles A. Eckert; Committee Co-Chair: Charles L. Liotta; Committee Member: Christopher W. Jones; Committee Member: Facundo M. Fernandez; Committee Member: Thomas F. Fuller.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (University of Texas Digital Repository, viewed on Sept. 9, 2009). Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Texas at El Paso, 2009. / Title from title screen. Vita. CD-ROM. Includes bibliographical references. Also available online.

Orientadores: Lea Rodrigues Simioni, Yoko Oshima Franco / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-12T21:34:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Oshima_Mario_M.pdf: 4940483 bytes, checksum: bc15df4a36f3737d47cf0f530205de21 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / Resumo: O polietilenoglicol (PEG) tem sido amplamente utilizado em diversos setores, entre eles, o cosmético, odontológico, farmacêutico (até como carreador de fármacos a órgãos-alvo), em virtude de suas fantásticas propriedades químicas. Por tal razão, é denominada uma molécula bioativa e teve o seu consumo interno aprovado pelo Food and Drug Administration (FDA). O objetivo deste trabalho foi pesquisar os efeitos farmacológicos do PEG 400 sobre a junção neuromuscular; a partir de observações experimentais em preparações de camundongo e pintainho. Concentrações de 3 µM, 20 µM e 100 µM de PEG 400, d-Tc (6 µM), neostigmina (12 µM) e dantrolene (30 µM) auxiliaram na busca do entendimento do mecanismo do PEG sobre a junção neuromuscular. Foram utilizadas em técnicas miográfica, eletrofisiológica e análise morfológica, nas preparações nervo frênico-diafragma (NFD) de camundongos e biventer cervicis (BC) de pintainhos. Especificamente, foi investigada a ação do PEG 400 sobre o terminal nervoso, fenda sináptica, receptores nicotínicos ou fibra muscular. Os resultados obtidos através da técnica eltrofisiológica mostraram que o PEG 400 não exibe ação pré-sináptica, pois não interfere no valor do CQ e nem mesmo apresenta ação anticolinesterásica quando comparado à neostigmina como controle positivo; também não mostrou qualquer efeito em receptores nicotínicos, mas alterou a polaridade do sarcolema causando despolarização das fibras musculares (-80 mV para -16 ± 1,7 mV) para o PEG 400 (100 µM). Além disso, o PEG 400 (20 µM ) em BC, exibiu antagonismo ao dantrolene (inibidor de receptor de rianodina) e impediu seu efeito sobre a contração muscular através do Cálcio. Finalmente, o PEG 400 não causa mionecrose (3 µM e 20 µM), nem mesmo em concentrações maiores (100 µM), nas quais causa bloqueio total das respostas do músculo BC. / Abstract: Polyethyleneglycol has been widely used in several areas such as cosmetic, odontology and pharmaceutical (even as drugs carrier) due to its chemical properties. Thus, it is considered a bioactive molecule being its internal consumption approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The aim of this study was to analyze the pharmacological effects of PEG 400 over the neuromuscular junction through experimental observations in mice preparations due to the increase of the contractile response amplitude (facilitating effect). Conventional myographic techniques, morphological and electrophysiological analysis were used in mice, phrenic nerve diaphragm preparations (PND) and chick, biventer cervicis preparations (BC). Concentrations of 3 µM, 20 µM and 100 µM of PEG 400, d-Tc 6 µM, neostigmine 12 µM and dantrolene 30 µM helped in the search for the understanding of PEG mechanism. Specifically, the action of PEG 400 was investigated over the nervous terminal, the synaptic cleft, nicotinic receptors or muscle fiber. The results obtained through the electrophysiological technique showed that PEG 400 did not exhibit pre-synaptic action and did not act as an anticholinesterasic, as well as neostigmine. It has not presented action over nicotinic receptors but it presented post-synaptic action, interfering on the sarcolemma polarity and reverting the action of the Calcium antagonist, dantrolene, suggesting an interference of the contraction mechanism through Calcium and the ryanodine receptor. Finally, PEG 400 did not cause mionecrosis (3 µM and 20 µM) even in concentrations high enough to cause total muscle blockade (100 µM). / Mestrado / Mestre em Farmacologia

A colonoscopia é atualmente o padrão ouro para investigação da mucosa dos cólons, reto e íleo terminal. Para sua realização, há necessidade de uso de soluções para limpeza do cólon que, em geral, são mal toleradas pelos pacientes. Os objetivos do presente estudo foram comparar duas soluções de preparo intestinal para colonoscopia, quanto à efetividade, tolerabilidade, aceitabilidade e segurança em pacientes que se submeteriam a colonoscopia eletivamente, no Centro de Diagnóstico em Gastroenterologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Trata-se de estudo unicêntrico, prospectivo, com alocação aleatória dos pacientes. Cem pacientes pareados por sexo e idade foram randomizados em dois grupos. O grupo I recebeu bisacodil mais 1 litro de Polietilenoglicol (PEG) na véspera e 1 litro no dia do exame. O grupo II recebeu bisacodil na véspera e 1 litro de manitol 10% no dia do exame. A mesma dieta foi orientada nos dois grupos. A qualidade do preparo foi graduada através das escalas de Boston e Ottawa. A tolerabilidade e aceitabilidade foram aferidas por questionários previamente estudados. Quanto à segurança, foram ava liadas: variação de sinais vitais antes e após o preparo e complicações. Noventa e seis pacientes (96%) completaram o estudo. Não se observou diferença na qualidade do preparo entre os grupos(p = 0,059). Quanto à tolerabilidade, o grupo I (PEG) apresentou frequência significativamente menor de náusea, vômito, dor abdominal e distensão abdominal (p < 0,05). A aceitabilidade foi significativamente melhor com o grupo I (PEG) (p < 0,05). Em relação à segurança, o grupo I (PEG) apresentou-se mais seguro. No presente estudo, podemos concluir que ambos os preparos são semelhantes em eficácia (p > 0,05) e a solução de PEG apresentou melhor tolerabilidade, aceitabilidade e segurança em comparação ao preparo com manitol (p < 0,05). / Colonoscopy is currently the gold standard to examine the colon, the rectum, and the terminal ileum. To perform a colonoscopy, is necessary to use solutions to clean the colon that are generally poorly tolerated by the patients. The study aims to compare the effectiveness, tolerability, acceptability and safety of two solutions used for intestinal preparation for elective colonoscopy examination in the Diagnosis Center Of Hospital das Clinicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo. It is a Prospective study carried out in a single center, with random allocation of the patients. One hundred patients that were paired based on sex and age were randomized into two groups. Group I received bisacodyl plus 1 liter of polyethylene glycol (PEG) the night before and 1 liter on the day of the exam. Group II received bisacodyl the night before and 1 liter of a 10% mannitol solution on the day of the exam. The patients diet was the same for both groups. The quality of the preparation was graded based on the Boston and Ottawa scales. Tolerability and acceptability were measured using previously validated questionnaires. In terms of safety, variations in vital signs before and after the preparation were recorded, as well as any complications. Ninety-six patients (96%) completed the study. No difference was observed in the quality of the preparation between the two preparation methods (p = 0,059). As for tolerability, group II (the mannitol preparation group) presented a significantly higher frequency of nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and abdominal distension (p < 0,05). Acceptability was significantly better in group I (p < 0,05). The PEG solution was also shown to be safer than mannitol. Based on the present study, the following conclusions can be made: 1) Both methods of preparation had similar efficiencies (p > 0,05); 2) PEG method showed higher tolerability, acceptability and safety compared to the mannitol method (p < 0,05).

Orientador: Antonio Jose de Almeida Meirelles / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-03T21:50:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ninni_Luciana_D.pdf: 1651054 bytes, checksum: a02c4b214cfc69dac3f1eb376a13a6b7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003 / Resumo: Métodos de contribuição de grupos têm sido ferramenta útil no cálculo de coeficientes de atividade nos mais variados sistemas. Em sistemas aquosos, e mais especificamente naqueles que possuem compostos biológicos como açúcares, arninoácidos, sais orgânicos, polímeros, etc., o uso de métodos de contribuição de grupos para a correlação e predição do equilíbrio de fases tem crescido nos últimos anos. Em alimentos e em biotecnologia, os sistemas são geralmente multicomponentes e por essa razão, a aplicação de métodos de contribuição de grupos torna-se atraente partindo-se do princípio que, de posse dos parâmetros de interação entre grupos, é possível calcular propriedades de sistemas mais complexos a partir de parâmetros obtidos da correlação a dados experimentais de sistemas mais simples. Neste trabalho, os métodos de contribuição de grupos ASOG, UNIF AC, VERS e UNIMOD foram empregados em diferentes sistemas para a correlação e predição de propriedades fisico-químicas. Os compostos estudados foram: polióis, aminoácidos, maltodextrinas e polietileno glicóis (pEG)s, sendo os três primeiros compostos geralmente encontrados em sistemas alimentícios, e o PEG é bastante utilizado em sistemas aquosos bifásicos para o estudo do equilíbrio e separação de biomoléculas. Propriedades fisico-químicas como atividade de água, solubilidade, depressão do ponto de congelamento, pH, espalhamento de luz, entalpia de diluição e viscosidade, são algumas das propriedades determinadas e/ou retiradas da literatura usadas para a correlação e predição empregando os modelos acima citados. A intenção deste trabalho foi então, testar os métodos de contribuição de grupos para o cálculo de propriedades fisico-químicas tratando também das particularidades de cada sistema estudado, como a dissociação parcial dos aminoácidos, o efeito de proximidade dos grupamentos hidroxilas nos polióis e a polidispersão das maltodextrinas. Também são apresentados resultados da correlação e predição de viscosidades de sistemas aquosos contendo PEGs por um modelo semi-empírico que não trata da contribuição de grupos mas considera a hidratação das moléculas desses polímeros em meio aquoso / Abstract: Group contribution methods have been used as a useful tool for calculating activity coefficients in different types of systems. In aqueous systems, specifically those containing biological compounds such as sugars, amino acids, organic salts, polymers, etc., the use of group contribution models for correlating and predicting phase equilibrium has increased in the last years. In the food and in the biotechnology areas, the systems are generally multicomponent, and for this reason, the use of group-contribution methods becomes an attractive tool considering the possibility of calculation of properties in complex systems with parameters adjusted for simple ones. In this work, the group-contribution models ASOG, UNIF AC, VERS and UNIMOD were utilized in different types of systems for the correlation and prediction of physical chemical properties. The studied compounds were: polyols, amino acids, maltodextrins and polyethylene (glycols) (pEG)s, which the first three compounds are found in food systems, and PEGs are wide used in aqueous-two-phase systems to study equilibrium and separation of biomolecules. Physical-chemical properties such as water activity, solubility, fteezing point depression, pH, light scattering, enthalpy of dilution and viscosity are some of the properties experimentally determined and/or found in literature used in this work for the correlation and prediction using the above cited models. Thus, the objective of this work was to test the group-contribution models for calculating physical-chemical properties considering the particularities of each system such as partial dissociation phenomena in aqueous amino acid systems, proximity effect of hydroxyl groups in polyols, and polydispersity of maltodextrins. It is also presented in this work, the results of viscosity correlation and prediction in aqueous PEG solutions by a semi-empirical equation that does not consider group contributions but take into account the hydration of the polymer molecules in aqueous media / Doutorado / Doutor em Engenharia de Alimentos

Biofouling is an ongoing problem in the development and usage of biomaterials for biomedical implants, microfluidic devices, and water-based sensors. Antifouling coatings involving surface modification of biomaterials is widely utilized to reduce unwanted protein adsorption and cell adhesion. Surface modification strategies, however, are reliant on the working material’s chemical properties. Thus, published procedures are often not applicable to a wide range of material classes. This constitutes a serious limitation in using surface modification on assembled multi-material devices, i.e on whole device modification. The objective of this research is to develop an antifouling coating with non-aggressive reaction conditions that can universally modify polymers and other material classes. Two strategies using polydopamine (PDA) as an anchor for polyethylene glycol (PEG) surface attachment were investigated: (1) PDA-PEG backfilled with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and (2) PDA-PEG with light activated perfluorophenyl azide (PFPA) conjugated to the PEG. Three materials varying in surface wettability were studied to evaluate the coatings for multi-material applications: porous polycarbonate membrane (PC), polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS), and soda lime glass cover slips. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ellipsometry studies revealed substantial structural differences of PDA. Differences in PDA surface roughness affected PEG grafting in solution (the first method), with higher PEG coverage achieved on PC with intermediate surface roughness to PDMS and glass. Radiolabeled Fg adsorption and E. coli adhesion experiments showed reduced fouling on all PDA-PEG modified materials when backfilled with BSA. The ability for BSA to penetrate the PEG layer indicated that low PEG grafting densities were achieved using this grafting-to approach. The use of a photoactive labeling agent, PFPA, to tether PEG was proposed to improve PEG grafting on PDA. The PFPA-PEG modification protocol was optimized by quantifying Fg adsorption. Two treatments of PFPA-PEG were required to fully block PDA active sites. Fg adsorption was not significantly improved on PFPA-PEG modified PC and glass when backfilled with BSA, indicating sufficient PEG coverage of PDA. High Fg adsorption on PFPA-PEG surfaces indicate that high density PEG brushes were still not achieved with this method. PDMS surfaces were damaged with this procedure due to increased surface handling in the protocol. This is the first, to our knowledge, successful demonstration of PFPA modification on PDA surfaces. Photopatterning of polymer-based materials can be achieved, providing opportunities for utilising new materials in cell patterned platforms. Due to low PEG coverage on PDA surfaces from solution and using PFPA, ultra-low protein adsorption cannot be achieved using these aqueous-based methods. Antifouling modifications using PDA and PEG should be applied for short-term cell studies. / Thesis / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Yes / Many drug molecules can be directly used as nanomedicine without the requirement of any inorganic or organic carriers such as silica and liposome nanostructures. This new type of carrier-free drug nanoparticles (NPs) has great potential in clinical treatment because of its ultra-high drug loading capacity and biodegradability. For practical applications, it is essential for such nanomedicine to possess robust stability and minimal premature release of therapeutic molecules during circulation in the blood stream. To meet this requirement, herein, we develop GSH-responsive and crosslinkable amphiphilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) molecules to modify carrier-free drug NPs. These PEG molecules can be cross-linked on the surface of the NPs to endow them with greater stability and the cross-link is sensitive to intracellular environment for bio-responsive drug release. With this elegant design, our experimental results show that the liberation of DOX from DOX-cross-linked PEG NPs is dramatically slower than that from DOX-non-cross-linked PEG NPs, and the DOX release profile can be controlled by tuning the concentration of the reducing agent to break the cross-link between PEG molecules. More importantly, in vivo studies reveal that the DOX-cross-linked PEG NPs exhibit favorable blood circulation half-life (>4 h) and intense accumulation in tumor areas, enabling effective anti-cancer therapy. We expect this work will provide a powerful strategy for stabilizing carrier-free nanomedicines and pave the way to their successful clinical applications in the future. / The National Basic Research Program of China (2013CB933500, 2012CB932400), National Natural Science Foundation of China (61422403), Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (BK20131162), QingLan Project, Collaborative Innovation Center of Suzhou Nano Science and a Project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD).

<p>Intervertebral disc (IVD) disorders and age-related degeneration are believed to contribute to low back pain. There is significant interest in cell-based strategies for regenerating the nucleus pulposus (NP) region of the disc; however, few scaffolds have been evaluated for their ability to promote or maintain an immature NP cell phenotype. Additionally, while cell delivery to the pathological IVD has significant therapeutic potential for enhancing NP regeneration, the development of injectable biomaterials that retain delivered cells, promote cell survival, and maintain or promote an NP cell phenotype in vivo remains a significant challenge. Previous studies have demonstrated NP cell - laminin interactions in the NP region of the IVD that promote cell attachment and biosynthesis. These findings suggest that incorporating laminin ligands into biomaterial scaffolds for NP tissue engineering or cell delivery to the disc may be beneficial for promoting NP cell survival and phenotype. In this dissertation, laminin-111 (LM111) functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels were developed and evaluated as biomaterial scaffolds for cell-based NP regeneration. </p><p>Here, PEG-LM111 conjugates with functional acrylate groups for crosslinking were synthesized and characterized to allow for protein coupling to both photocrosslinkable and injectable PEG-based biomaterial scaffolds. PEG-LM111 conjugates synthesized using low ratios of PEG to LM111 were found support NP cell attachment and signaling in a manner similar to unmodified LM111. A single PEG-LM111 conjugate was conjugated to photocrosslinkable PEG-LM111 hydrogels, and studies were performed to evaluate the effects of hydrogel formulation on immature NP cell phenotype in vitro. When primary immature porcine NP cells were seeded onto PEG-LM111 hydrogels of varying stiffnesses, softer LM111 presenting hydrogels were found to promote cell clustering and increased levels of sGAG production as compared to stiffer LM111 presenting and PEG-only gels. When cells were encapsulated in 3D gels, hydrogel formulation was found to influence NP cell metabolism and expression of proposed NP phenotypic markers, with higher expression of N-cadherin and cytokeratin 8 observed for cells cultured in softer (<1 kPa) PEG-LM111 hydrogels. </p><p>A novel, injectable PEG-LM111 hydrogel was developed as a biomaterial carrier for cell delivery to the IVD. PEG-LM111 conjugates were crosslinked via a Michael-type addition reaction upon the addition of PEG-octoacrylate and PEG-dithiol. Injectable PEG-LM111 hydrogel gelation time, mechanical properties, and ability to retain delivered cells in the IVD space were evaluated. Gelation occurred in approximately 20 minutes without an initiator, with dynamic shear moduli in the range of 0.9 - 1.4 kPa. Primary NP cell retention in cultured IVD explants was significantly higher over 14 days when cells were delivered within a PEG-LM111 hydrogel carrier, as compared to cells in liquid suspension. </p><p>The studies presented in this dissertation demonstrate that soft, LM111 functionalized hydrogels may promote or maintain the expression of specific markers and cell-cell interactions characteristic of an immature NP cell phenotype. Furthermore, these findings suggest that this novel, injectable laminin-functionalized biomaterial may be an easy to use and biocompatible carrier for delivering cells to the IVD.</p> / Dissertation

Η συσχέτιση της πρωτεΐνης PSP94 με τον καρκίνο του προστάτη είναι γνωστή, καθώς μειωμένα επίπεδα της PSP94 σχετίζονται με τα προχωρημένα, μεταστατικά στάδια καρκίνου του προστάτη, και υποτίθεται ότι η πλήρης έκφρασή της συμβάλλει στην αναχαίτιση της καρκινικής ανάπτυξης. Το PCK3145, ένα συνθετικό δεκαπενταμερές πεπτίδιο, του οποίου η αλληλουχία αμινοξέων είναι ταυτόσημο με την αλληλουχία των αμινοξέων 31 έως 45 της PSP94, επιλέχτηκε μεταξύ 12 διαφορετικών πεπτιδίων που προέκυψαν από την PSP94 καθώς εδείχθη οτι ανακεφαλαιώνει in vitro και in vivo τις λειτουργίες και ιδιότητες της PSP94, και άρα είναι ένα μόριο που μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί στην καταστολή της ανάπτυξης του καρκίνου του προστάτη. Ωστόσο, φαρμακοκινητικές μελέτες σε ζώα και ασθενείς με καρκίνο του προστάτη, κατέδειξαν ταχεία κάθαρση και μικρό χρόνο ημιζωής. Προκειμένου να ενισχυθεί το φαρμακοκινητικό προφίλ του πεπτιδίου PCK3145 και ως εκ τούτου να βελτιωθεί η φαρμακοδυναμική του, υπέστη χημική τροποποίηση με προσθήκη πολυαιθυλενικής γλυκόλης (PEG). Η πειραματική εργασία παρουσιάζει τα αποτελέσματα μιας συστηματικής μελέτης σχετικά με την επίδραση της πεγκυλίωσης στο PCK3145 συγκρίνοντας την πρωτεολυτική σταθερότητα και βιολογική δράση δύο πεγκυλιωμένων συζευγμάτων του με την καθαρή μορφή του. Για την ποσοτικοποίηση και για τα πειράματα σταθερότητας χρησιμοποιήθηκε ένα σύστημα υγρής χρωματογραφίας υψηλής απόδοσης HPLC αποτελούμενο από μια αντλία Ultimate (Dionex). Ο χρωματογραφικός διαχωρισμός επιτεύχθηκε με μια στήλη ανάστροφης φάσης C18. Επετεύχθη για πρώτη φορά η ανάπτυξη αναλυτικής μεθοδολογίας HPLC για τον προσδιορισμό των πεγκυλιωμένων αναλόγων με υψηλού βαθμού γραμμικότητα, ειδικότητα, επαναληψιμότητα και αναπαραγωγιμότητα. Η πρωτεολυτική σταθερότητα των συζευγμάτων PEG σε ανθρώπινο πλάσμα προσδιορίστηκε με χρήση υγρής χρωματογραφίας HPLC και αποκαλύφθηκε μείωση του ποσοστού αποδόμησης και ενίσχυσξ της σταθερότητας του πεπτιδικών μορίων σε ανθρώπινο πλάσμα. H μελέτη επιβίωσης της κυτταρικής σειράς καρκίνου του προστάτη PC3 μετά την προσθήκη των πεπτιδικών μορίων υπό μελέτη υπολογίστηκε με τις μεθόδους ΜΤΤ και Trypan blue. 50% αναστολή της κυτταρικής αύξησης/μεταβολισμού επετεύχθη με τις συγκεντρώσεις των 10μg/ml και για τα τρία πεπτίδια. Ωστόσο, τα πεγκυλιωμένα ανάλογα επέφεραν ισχυρότερη ανασταλτική επίδραση στην κυτταρική αύξηση σε μικρότερες δόσεις. Παρόμοια ενθαρρυντικά αποτελέσματα υπήρξαν και για την δράση των μορίων στη καρκινική σειρά του μαστού MCF-7. Τα αποτελέσματα της μελέτης συνοψίζονται στην ικανότητα της πεγκυλίωσης να βελτιώνει τη σταθερότητα του PCK3145 και έτσι να ενισχύει τη βιολογική του δράση. Μελλοντικά πειράματα θα αποσαφηνίσουν περισσότερο τόσο την δράση των μορίων σε καρκινικές σειρές πέραν του προστάτη αλλά και την φαρμακοκινητική συμπεριφορά των πεπτιδικών αναλόγων μέσω πειραμάτων in vivo της βιοκατανομής και μεταβολισμού τους. / PSP94, protein is known to have specific implications with prostate cancer where a down-regulation of PSP94 levels is associated with advanced metastatic prostate cancer and it is supposed that the full expression contributes to the inhibition of tumor growth. PCK3145 is a synthetic 15-mer peptide that matches the natural sequence of amino acids 31 to 45 of PSP94 and was selected from 12 other peptides derived from PSP94 as it exhibited the best in vitro and animal in vivo properties similar to PSP94. Thus, it is a molecule hat can be used to suppress the growth of prostate cancer.However pharmacokinetics studies in animals and in patients with prostate cancer showed rapid clearance and a short half-life. In order to alter the pharmacokinetic profile of the peptide, and thereby to improve its pharmacodynamic potential PCK3145 was chemically modified with polyethylene glycol (PEG).This experimental work presents the results of a systematic study on the influence of the PEGylation of PCK3145 peptides on the proteolytic stability and biological activity of these conjugates compared to the wild-type peptide. For the quantification and stability assays an HPLC system was used consisted of an Ultimate 3000 Pump (Dionex). Chromatographic separation was achieved on RP, C18 column. An HPLC method development for the determination of the PEG-peptide conjugates was assessed for the first time. A high degree of linearity, specificity as well as repeatability and reproducibility were also achieved. The proteolytic stability of the PEG-peptide conjugates in human plasma was assessed by HPLC chromatography, which revealed a significant decrease in the degradation. Proliferation of PC3 cancer cell line was measured using the MTT and Trypan blue test. A 50% inhibition of the cell metabolism/growth was achieved by the concentrations of 10 μg/ml of the three peptides. However, at lower concentrations stronger growth inhibitory effect was observed for the PEG-peptides. Similar encouraging results have also seen for the action of molecules in cancer cell lines MCF-7.The results of this study emphasize the ability of PEGylation to improve the stability of PCK3145 and thus to enhance the biological activity. Future experiments willi clarify more the action of molecules in cancer cell lines beyond the prostate and the pharmacokinetic behavour of peptide analogs through in vivo experiments of biodistribution and metabolism.