Delivery System Based on Albumin

Biosafety is the major concern in clinical translation of nanomedicine. As an intrinsic ingredient of human blood without immunogenicity and the emphasis on its successful clinical application in Abraxane, albumin has been considered as a promising material to produce nanoparticles for bioimaging and drug delivery. At present, Creative Biolabs provides customized targeted delivery services based on albumin conjugation. Our scientists have extensive experience in antibody and peptide production, as well as bio-conjugation. We are committed to providing top-quality services to promote the development of innovative cancer treatments.

Albumin

The albumins are a family of globular proteins, the most abundant plasma protein in human blood. Albumin is synthesized in the liver hepatocytes and released into the vascular space daily. It circulates in the blood for an extended period of ~ 19 days. This long half-life is considered mainly due to neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn)-mediated recycling, and the Megalin/Cubilin-complex rescue from renal clearance. Termination of the circulation attributes to catabolism of albumin in organs such as the skin and muscles. Modifications of albumin can trigger lysosomal degradation. Albumin has multiple hydrophobic binding pockets and naturally acts as a transporter of a number of different ligands such as fatty acids and steroids as well as different drugs. Furthermore, the surface of albumin is charged negatively making it highly water-soluble.

Fig.1 Crystal structure of human serum albumin.¹

Delivery System Based on Albumin

The natural transport function, multiple ligand binding sites, and cellular interactions render rational for the exploitation of albumin for drug delivery. Its abilities to covalently or non-covalently conjugate to drugs and express as albumin-drug fusion proteins offer a wide range of design options that have been taken into clinical trials or on the market.

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of albumin nanoparticles targeting tumor cells via the GP60 and SPARC pathways.²

Incorporation of components that mimic endogenous albumin-binding ligands, such as fatty acids, has been used to promote albumin association and increase drug efficacy. Another manner that utilizes specific binding to albumin is sdAbs. Ozoralizumab, developed by Ablynx, also known as ATN-103, is a trivalent antibody consisting of two peptides interacting with TNF-α and albumin, respectively. It has completed Phase II studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. A promising approach to combine protein-based drugs with albumin is via fusion to the N- or C-terminal or both ends of the albumin. The fused protein retains its functionality and long half-life. An example is the product albiglutide (Eperzan®/Tanzeum®) manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline for the treatment of type II diabetes. It is a GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by fusion of two human GLP-1 repeats to recombinant human albumin.

Features of our albumin-delivery system

• No immunogenicity
• Present long half-life
• Maintain high blood drug concentration
• Precise diagnosis and effective drug delivery

Creative Biolabs have over decades of experience in the field of recombinant protein expression and bio-conjugation, and we have successfully provided a range of services tailored to protein design and analysis. Our albumin-delivery system and services will contribute greatly to the success of your projects. Please feel free to contact us for more information and a detailed quote.

References

1. Larsen, Maja Thim, et al. "Albumin-based drug delivery: harnessing nature to cure disease." Molecular and cellular therapies 4.1 (2016): 1-12.
2. Ji, Qingzhi, et al. "GP60 and SPARC as albumin receptors: key targeted sites for the delivery of antitumor drugs." Frontiers in Pharmacology 15 (2024).

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