Susana Rocha

Prof. Dr. Susana Rocha

KU Leuven, Belgium
orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

23Years (2004-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 August 2013 in Cell
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Journal Article
Closed access
KBKatrien De Bock
Katrien De Bock
MGMaria Georgiadou
Maria Georgiadou
SSSandra Schoors
Sandra Schoors
AKAnna Kuchnio
Anna Kuchnio
BWBrian W. Wong
Brian W. Wong
PCPeter Carmeliet
Peter Carmeliet

1 March 2017 in Molecular Cell
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
AVAlexander R. van Vliet
Alexander R. van Vliet
FGFrancesca Giordano
Francesca Giordano
SGSarah Gerlo
Sarah Gerlo
ISInmaculada Segura
Inmaculada Segura
SESofie Van Eygen
Sofie Van Eygen
PAPatrizia Agostinis
Patrizia Agostinis

29 August 2018 in Nature
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Journal Article
Closed access
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GEGuy Eelen
Guy Eelen
CDCharlotte DUBOIS
Charlotte DUBOIS
Anna Rita CantelmoAnna Rita Cantelmo
Anna Rita Cantelmo
JGJermaine Goveia
Jermaine Goveia
UBUlrike Brüning
Ulrike Brüning
PCPeter Carmeliet
Peter Carmeliet

13 January 2014 in ACS Nano
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
BMBenjamien Moeyaert
Benjamien Moeyaert
NBNgan Nguyen Bich
Ngan Nguyen Bich
EZElke De Zitter
Elke De Zitter
Susana RochaSusana Rocha
Susana Rocha
Koen Clays FRSCKoen Clays FRSC
Koen Clays FRSC
PDPeter Dedecker
Peter Dedecker

25 February 2019 in Scientific Reports
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Journal Article
Open access
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BFBeatrice Fortuni
Beatrice Fortuni
TITomoko Inose
Tomoko Inose
MRMonica Ricci
Monica Ricci
YFYasuhiko Fujita
Yasuhiko Fujita
Indra Van ZundertIndra Van Zundert
Indra Van Zundert
HUHiroshi Uji-I
Hiroshi Uji-I
Most targeting strategies of anticancer drug delivery systems (DDSs) rely on the surface functionalization of nanocarriers with specific ligands, which trigger the internalization in cancer cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis. The endocytosis implies the entrapment of DDSs in acidic vesicles (endosomes and lysosomes) and their eventual ejection by exocytosis. This process, intrinsic to eukaryotic cells, is one of the main drawbacks of DDSs because it reduces the drug bioavailability in the intracellular environment. The escape of DDSs from the acidic vesicles is, therefore, crucial to enhance the therapeutic performance at low drug dose. To this end, we developed a multifunctionalized DDS that combines high specificity towards cancer cells with endosomal escape capabilities. Doxorubicin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles were functionalized with polyethylenimine, a polymer commonly used to induce endosomal rupture, and hyaluronic acid, which binds to CD44 receptors, overexpressed in cancer cells. We show irrefutable proof that the developed DDS can escape the endosomal pathway upon polymeric functionalization. Interestingly, the combination of the two polymers resulted in higher endosomal escape efficiency than the polyethylenimine coating alone. Hyaluronic acid additionally provides the system with cancer targeting capability and enzymatically controlled drug release. Thanks to this multifunctionality, the engineered DDS had cytotoxicity comparable to the pure drug whilst displaying high specificity towards cancer cells. The polymeric engineering here developed enhances the performance of DDS at low drug dose, holding great potential for anticancer therapeutic applications.

28 May 2014 in Advanced Materials
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Journal Article
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PDF file
GLGang Lu
Gang Lu
HKHerlinde De Keersmaecker
Herlinde De Keersmaecker
LSLiang Su
Liang Su
BKBart Kenens
Bart Kenens
Susana RochaSusana Rocha
Susana Rocha
HUHiroshi Uji‐I
Hiroshi Uji‐I