Nanoparticles, process for preparation and use thereof as carrier for amphipatic and hydrophobic molecules in fields of medicine including cancer treatment and food related compounds
The present invention regards nanoparticles comprising a sterol and a component derived from Quillaja saponaria Molina selected from quillaja acid and quillaja saponin, which nanoparticles do not comprise a phospholipid. It also relates to a composition comprising the nanoparticles, and the use thereof as adjuvant, especially in vaccines, as carriers for amphipathic or hydrophobic molecules and as agents for treatment of cancer. Further, it regards a method for producing the phospholipid-free nano particles, a method for the treatment of cancer and a method for assessing the applicability of the cancer treating method.
1. A method for producing phospholipid-free nanoparticles comprising the steps
a) providing a hydrophobic surface or a suspension of liposomes;
b) bringing the hydrophobic surface or the suspension of liposomes into contact with a solution of sterol dissolved as monomers in an organic solvent or detergent;
c) removing the solvent or detergent forming a sterol membrane on the surface;
d) providing a water solution of quillaja saponin micelles; and
e) adding the water solution comprising the saponin micelles to the sterol membrane, whereby a complex is formed between the saponins and the sterols and is suspended in the water solution.
2. A method for production of Iscom matrix according to claim 1 , wherein at least one phospholipid is added to the suspension comprising sterol in step b).
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said sterol is cholesterol.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the organic solvent is ethanol and/or chloroform.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the organic solvent or detergent is removed by evaporation.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein said solvent or detergent is removed by dialysis, chromatography, filtration or tangential flow.
7. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the ratio between cholesterol and quillaja saponin is from 1:10 to 10:1.
8. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the ratio between cholesterol and quillaja saponin is from 1:2 to 2:1.