Francesca Greco

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+44 (0) 118 378 8244
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Professor of Pharmaceutics
- Pharmacy Examinations Officer
Background
Statistics show that one in three people develops cancer and one in four dies from it. It is clear that there is an urgent need to develop new therapeutics that are able to act more selectively on tumour cells. Polymer-anticancer drug conjugates are nano-sized medicines where anticancer drugs are covalently bound to a polymeric platform. Due to the hyperpermeability of tumour vasculature, they are able to accumulate preferentially in the tumour tissue (passive targeting).
>The linker between the drug and the polymer is designed to be cleaved following endocytic uptake by tumour cells. A number of polymer drug conjugates have now entered clinical evaluation and they are showing considerable promise.
Recently we have suggested the use of a single polymeric carrier to simultaneously deliver the combination of endocrine therapy and chemotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer. This conjugate was markedly more effective than the conjugates carrying individual drugs or their mixture.
My main interest is to elucidate the exact mechanism of action of these nano-sized constructs at cellular level.
Publications
- Mitry, M. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2023) In vivo applications of bioorthogonal reactions- chemistry and targeting mechanisms. Chemistry - A European Journal ISSN: 0947-6539
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Aljuaid, N.
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Seitsonen, J.
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Ruokolainen, J.
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Greco, F.
ORCID: 0000-0001-7934-0056 , Hamley, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-4549-0926 (2022) Micelle and nanotape formation of Benzene Tricarboxamide analogues with selective cancer cell cytotoxicity. ACS Omega , 7 (50). pp. 46843-46848. ISSN: 2470-1343 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.2c05940
- Khater, M. , Brazier, J. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2022) Anticancer evaluation of new organometallic ruthenium(II) flavone complexes. Medicinal Chemistry ISSN: 2632-8682 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D2MD00304J
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Khater, M.
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Watson, K.
ORCID: 0000-0002-9987-8539 , Boateng, S. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2022) Halogenated flavonoid derivatives display antiangiogenic activity. Molecules , 27 (15). ISSN: 1420-3049 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154757
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Iflaifel, M.
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Lim, R.
ORCID: 0000-0003-1705-1480 , Crowley, C. , Greco, F. , Iedema, R. (2022) Using video reflexive ethnography to explore the use of variable rate intravenous insulin infusions. BMC Health Services Research , 22 ISSN: 1472-6963 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-07883-w
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Dodd, A.
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Natfji, A.
ORCID: 0000-0002-6168-4632 , Evangelinos, A. , Grigoletto, A. , Pasut, G. , Beards, F. , Renshall, L. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. , Harris, L. (2022) Conjugation to PEG as a strategy to limit the uptake of drugs by the placenta: potential applications for drug administration in pregnancy. Molecular Pharmaceutics , 19 (1). pp. 345-353. ISSN: 1543-8392 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.1c00498
- Dawood, D. , Srour, A. , Saleh, D. , Huff, K. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2021) New pyridine and chromene scaffolds as potent vasorelaxant and anticancer agents. RSC Advances , 11 pp. 29441-29452. ISSN: 2046-2069 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D1RA04758B
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Iflaifel, M.
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Lim, R.
ORCID: 0000-0003-1705-1480 , Crowley, C. , Greco, F. , Ryan, K. , Iedema, R. (2021) Modelling the use of variable rate intravenous insulin infusions in hospitals by comparing Work as Done with Work as Imagined. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy ISSN: 1934-8150 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sapharm.2021.06.008
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Iflaifel, M.
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Lim, R.
ORCID: 0000-0003-1705-1480 , Crowley, C. , Ryan, K. , Greco, F. (2021) A detailed analysis of ‘Work As Imagined’ in the use of intravenous insulin infusions in a hospital: a hierarchical task analysis. BMJ Open , 11 (3). ISSN: 2044-6055 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041848
- Khater, M. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2020) Antiangiogenic activity of flavonoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Molecules , 25 (20). ISSN: 1420-3049 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/molecules25204712
- Salimi, S. , Wu, Y. , Evangelista Barreiros, M. , Natfji, A. , Khaled, S. , Wildman, R. , Hart, L. , Greco, F. , Clark, E. , Roberts, C. , Hayes, W. (2020) A 3D printed drug delivery implant formed from a dynamic supramolecular polyurethane formulation. Polymer Chemistry , 11 (20). pp. 3453-3464. ISSN: 1759-9954 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/D0PY00068J
- Natfji, A. , Nikitin, D. , Semina, I. , Moustafine, R. , Khutoryanskiy, V. , Lin, H. , Stephens, G. , Watson, K. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2020) Conjugation of haloperidol to PEG allows peripheral localisation of haloperidol and eliminates CNS extrapyramidal effects. Journal of Controlled Release , 322 pp. 227-235. ISSN: 0168-3659 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2020.02.037
- Khater, M. , Ravishankar, D. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2019) Metal complexes of flavonoids: their synthesis, characterization, and enhanced anti-oxidant and anti-cancer activities. Future Medicinal Chemistry , 11 (21). ISSN: 1756-8927 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.4155/fmc-2019-0237
- Castelletto, V. , Edwards-Gayle, C. , Greco, F. , Hamley, I. , Seitsonen, J. , Ruokolainen, J. (2019) Self-assembly, tunable hydrogel properties and selective anti-cancer activity of a carnosine-derived lipidated peptide. Applied Materials & Interfaces , 11 (37). pp. 33573-33580. ISSN: 1944-8244 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b09065
- Wahlich, J. , Desai, A. , Greco, F. , Hill, K. , Jones, A. , Mrsny, R. , Pasut, G. , Perrie, Y. , Seib, F. , Seymour, L. , Uchegbu, I. (2019) Nanomedicines for the delivery of biologics. Pharmaceutics , 11 (5). ISSN: 1999-4923 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics11050210
- Edwards-Gayle, C. , Castelletto, V. , Hamley, I. , Barrett, G. , Greco, F. , Hermida-Merino, D. , Rambo, R. , Seitsonen, J. , Ruokolainen, J. (2019) Self-assembly, antimicrobial activity, and membrane interactions of arginine-capped peptide bola-amphiphiles. ACS Applied Bio Materials , 2 (5). pp. 2208-2218. ISSN: 2576-6422 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.9b00172
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Castelletto, V.
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Barnes, R.
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Karatzas, K.
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Edwards-Gayle, C.
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Greco, F.
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Hamley, I.
ORCID: 0000-0002-4549-0926 , Seitsonen, J. , Ruokolainen, J. (2019) Restructuring of lipid membranes by an arginine-capped peptide bolaamphiphile. Langmuir , 35 (5). pp. 1302-1311. ISSN: 0743-7463 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b01014
- Gadd, A. , Castelletto, V. , Kabova, E. , Shankland, K. , Perrie, Y. , Hamley, I. , Cobb, A. , Greco, F. , Edwards, A. (2018) High potency of lipid conjugated TLR7 agonist requires nanoparticulate or liposomal formulation. European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences , 123 pp. 268-276. ISSN: 0928-0987 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2018.07.048
- Ravishankar, D. , Salamah, M. , Akimbaev, A. , Williams, H. , Albadawi, D. , Vaiyapuri, R. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. , Vaiyapuri, S. (2018) Impact of specific functional groups in flavonoids on the modulation of platelet activation. Scientific Reports , 8 ISSN: 2045-2322 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-27809-z
- Castelletto, V. , Barnes, R. , Karatzas, K. , Edwards-Gayle, C. , Greco, F. , Hamley, I. , Rambo, R. , Seitsonen, J. , Ruokolainen, J. (2018) Arginine-containing surfactant-like peptides: interaction with lipid membranes and antimicrobial activity. Biomacromolecules , 19 (7). pp. 2782-2794. ISSN: 1525-7797 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00391
- Edwards-Gayle, C. , Greco, F. , Hamley, I. , Rambo, R. , Reza, M. , Ruokolainen, J. , Skoulas, D. , Iatrou, H. (2018) Self-assembly of telechelic tyrosine end-capped PEO star polymers in aqueous solution. Biomacromolecules , 19 (1). pp. 167-177. ISSN: 1525-7797 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.7b01420
- Natfji, A. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2017) Feasibility of polymer-drug conjugates for non-cancer applications. Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science , 31 pp. 51-66. ISSN: 1359-0294 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cocis.2017.07.004
- Natfji, A. , Ravishankar, D. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2017) Parameters affecting the enhanced permeability and retention effect: the need for patient selection. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences , 106 (11). pp. 3179-3187. ISSN: 0022-3549 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.xphs.2017.06.019
- Wilde, M. , Green, R. , Sanders, M. , Greco, F. (2017) Biophysical studies in polymer therapeutics: the interactions of anionic and cationic PAMAM dendrimers with lipid monolayers. Journal of Drug Targeting , 25 (9-10). pp. 910-918. ISSN: 1029-2330 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1061186X.2017.1365877
- Ravishankar, D. , Salamah, M. , Attina, A. , Pothi, R. , Vallance, T. , Javed, M. , Williams, H. , Alzahrani, E. , Kabova, E. , Vaiyapuri, R. , Shankland, K. , Gibbins, J. , Strohfeldt, K. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. , Vaiyapuri, S. (2017) Ruthenium-conjugated chrysin analogues modulate platelet activity, thrombus formation and haemostasis with enhanced efficacy. Scientific Reports , 7 ISSN: 2045-2322 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-05936-3
- Heath, F. , Newman, A. , Clementi, C. , Pasut, G. , Lin, H. , Stephens, G. , Whalley, B. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2016) A novel PEG–haloperidol conjugate with a non-degradable linker shows the feasibility of using polymer–drug conjugates in a non-prodrug fashion. Polymer Chemistry , 7 (47). pp. 7204-7210. ISSN: 1759-9954 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c6py01418f
- Ravishankar, D. , Corona, G. , Hogan, S. , Spencer, J. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2016) Thioflavones as novel neuroprotective agents. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry , 24 (21). pp. 5513-5520. ISSN: 0968-0896 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2016.09.006
- Baker, B. , Higgins, C. , Ravishankar, D. , Colquhoun, H. , Stevens, G. , Greco, F. , Greenland, B. , Hayes, W. (2016) Multifunctional, biocompatible, non-peptidic hydrogels: from water purification to drug delivery. Chemistry Select , 1 (8). pp. 1641-1649. ISSN: 2365-6549 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/slct.201600249
- Ravishankar, D. , Watson, K. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2016) Novel synthesised flavone derivatives provide significant insight into the structural features required for enhanced anti-proliferative activity. RSC Advances , 6 (69). pp. 64544-64556. ISSN: 2046-2069 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C6RA11041J
- Sartain, F. , Greco, F. , Hill, K. , Rannard, S. , Owen, A. (2016) Emerging nanomedicine applications and manufacturing: progress and challenges. Nanomedicine , 11 (6). pp. 577-580. ISSN: 1748-6963 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2217/nnm.16.17
- Feula, A. , Tang, X. , Giannakopoulos, I. , Chippindale, A. , Hamley, I. , Greco, F. , Buckley, C. , Siviour, C. , Hayes, W. (2016) An adhesive elastomeric supramolecular polyurethane healable at body temperature. Chemical Science , 7 (7). pp. 4291-4300. ISSN: 2041-6539 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5SC04864H
- Phillips, D. , Wilde, M. , Greco, F. , Gibson, M. (2015) Enzymatically-triggered, isothermally responsive polymers: re-programming poly(oligoethylene glycols) to respond to phosphatase. Biomacromolecules , 16 (10). pp. 3256-3264. ISSN: 1525-7797 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.5b00929
- Gadd, A. , Greco, F. , Cobb, A. , Edwards, A. (2015) Targeted activation of toll-like receptors: conjugation of a toll-like receptor 7 agonist to a monoclonal antibody maintains antigen binding and specificity. Bioconjugate Chemistry , 26 (8). pp. 1743-1752. ISSN: 1043-1802 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00302
- Ravishankar, D. , Watson, K. , Boateng, S. , Green, R. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2015) Exploring quercetin and luteolin derivatives as antiangiogenic agents. European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry , 97 pp. 259-274. ISSN: 0223-5234 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.04.056
- Rajora, A. , Ravishankar, D. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2014) Impact of the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and cathepsins levels on the activity of polymer-drug conjugates. Polymers , 6 (8). pp. 2186-2220. ISSN: 2073-4360 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/polym6082186
- Fante, C. and Greco, F. (2014) Polymer-drug conjugates. In: Bader, R. and Putnam, D. , (eds.) Engineering polymer systems for improved drug delivery. John Wiley & Sons , Hoboken N.J.. pp. 59-61. ISBN: 9781118098479
- Fante, C. and Greco, F. (2013) Polymer-drug conjugates. In: Uchegbu, I. , Shatzlein, A. , Cheng, W. , Lalatsa, A. , (eds.) Fundamentals of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience. Springer , London. ISBN: 9781461491637
- Ravishankar, D. , Rajora, A. , Greco, F. , Osborn, H. (2013) Flavonoids as prospective compounds for anti-cancer therapy. International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology , 45 (12). pp. 2821-2831. ISSN: 1878-5875 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocel.2013.10.004
- Arif, I. , Hooper, C. , Greco, F. , Williams, A. , Boateng, S. (2013) Increasing doxorubicin activity against breast cancer cells using PPARγ-ligands and by exploiting circadian rhythms. British Journal of Pharmacology , 169 (5). pp. 1178-1188. ISSN: 1476-5381 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.12202
- Acton, A. , Fante, C. , Flatley, B. , Burattini, S. , Hamley, I. , Wang, Z. , Greco, F. , Hayes, W. (2013) Janus PEG-based dendrimers for use in combination therapy: controlled multi-drug loading and sequential release. Biomacromolecules , 14 (2). pp. 564-574. ISSN: 1525-7797 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/bm301881h
- Greco, F. , Arif, I. , Botting , R. , Fante, C. , Quintieri, L. , Clementi, C. , Schiavon, O. , Pasut, G. (2013) Polysialic acid as a drug carrier: evaluation of a new polysialic acid–epirubicin conjugate and its comparison against established drug carriers. Polymer Chemistry , 4 pp. 1600-1609. ISSN: 1759-9954 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C2PY20876H
- Fante, C. , Eldar-Boock, A. , Satchi-Fainaro, R. , Osborn, H. , Greco, F. (2011) Synthesis and biological evaluation of a polyglutamic acid-dopamine conjugate: a new antiangiogenic agent. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry , 54 (14). pp. 5255-5259. ISSN: 0022-2623 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm200382r
- Blencowe, C. , Russell, A. , Greco, F. , Hayes, W. , Thornthwaite, D. (2011) Self-immolative linkers in polymeric delivery systems. Polymer Chemistry , 2 (4). pp. 773-790. ISSN: 1759-9954 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C0PY00324G
- Pasut, G. , Greco, F. , Mero, A. , Mendichi, R. , Fante, C. , Green, R. , Veronese, F. (2009) Polymer-drug conjugates for combination anticancer therapy: investigating the mechanism of action.. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry , 52 (20). pp. 6499-6502. ISSN: 0022-2623 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm900804m
- Greco, F. and Vicent, M. (2009) Combination therapy: opportunities and challenges for polymer-drug conjugates as anticancer nanomedicines.. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews , 61 (13). pp. 1203-1213. ISSN: 0169-409X | doi: DOI:10.1016/j.addr.2009.05.006
- Greco, . and Vicent, . (2008) Polymer-drug conjugates: current status and future trends. Frontiers in Bioscience , 13 pp. 2744-2756. ISSN: 1093-9946 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2741/2882
- Bonjoch, J. , Drew, M. , Gonzalez, A. , Greco, F. , Jawaid, S. , Osborn, H. , Williams, N. , Yaqoob, P. (2008) Synthesis and evaluation of novel boron-containing complexes of potential use for the selective treatment of malignant melanoma. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry , 51 (20). pp. 6604-6608. ISSN: 0022-2623 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jm8007745
- Greco, . , Vicent, . , Gee, . , Jones, . , Gee, . , Nicholson, . , Duncan, . (2007) Investigating the mechanism of enhanced cytotoxicity of HPMA copolymer-Dox-AGM in breast cancer cells. Journal of Controlled Release , 117 (1). pp. 28-39. ISSN: 0168-3659 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jconrel.2006.10.012
- Bettio, . , Canevari, . , Marzano, . , Bordin, . , Guiotto, . , Greco, . , Duncan, . , Veronese, . (2006) Synthesis and biological in vitro evaluation of novel PEG-psoralen conjugates. Biomacromolecules , 7 (12). pp. 3534-3541. ISSN: 1525-7797 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/bm060760n
- Greco, F. , Vicent, M. , Penning, N. , Nicholson, R. , Duncan, R. (2005) HPMA copolymer-aminoglutethimide conjugates inhibit aromatase in MCF-7 cell lines. Journal of Drug Targeting , 13 (8-9). pp. 459-470. ISSN: 1061-186X | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10611860500383788
- Vicent, M. , Greco, F. , Nicholson, R. , Paul, A. , Griffiths , P. , Duncan, R. (2005) Polymer therapeutics designed for a combination therapy of hormone-dependent cancer. Angewandte Chemie-International Edition , 44 (26). pp. 4061-4066. ISSN: 1521-3773 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/anie.200462960
- Duncan, R. , Vicent, M. , Greco, F. , Nicholson, R. (2005) Polymer-drug conjugates: towards a novel approach for the treatment of endrocine-related cancer. Endocrine related cancer , 12 pp. S189-S199. ISSN: 1479-6821 | doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.1677/erc.1.01045