essp02

Bringing 

pharmacy 

knowledge 

and students 

together 

Volume 1 | Edition 2 | April 2014 

www.epsa-online.org

EPSA Students' Science Publication 

Dear friends, 

INTRODUCTION 

Not long ago, the Education and Public Relations departments presented 

the first edition of the EPSA Students’ Science Publication (ESSP) during the 

Autumn Assembly held in Valencia (Spain). The response, since then, has been 

very good. Students from across Europe have contacted us and expressed 

interest in sharing their research with others through the publication. It is our 

great pleasure to present you with the second edition of the ESSP! 

Since the last edition, some modifications to the publication have been 

made. A stepping stone was our partnership with the European Federation 

for Pharmaceutical Sciences (EUFEPS). They have carefully reviewed the 

abstracts and given feedback to the students. Their role is vital in ensuring that 

this publication consists of good quality and well-written abstracts. 

For this edition, we have tried to include a broad spectrum of topics. From 

pharmacy practice and pharmaceutical sciences, you can read about: 

services provided by community pharmacies, patent law, modification of the 

phenothiazine structure, breast cancer metastasis, and polyplexes as a form 

of delivery system. 

Hopefully you will find this interesting and inspiring for your future research. In 

which case, we would like to know all about your project for our next edition 

in July. 

Once again, a big thanks for all the authors and the EUFEPS for their hard 

work. Good luck for your studies, we hope to hear from you soon! 

Yours in EPSA, 

Rebwar Saleh, Science Coordinator 2013-2014 

Maria Pace, Publications Coordinator 2013-2014 

Svenja Laarhuis, Design Coordinator 2013-2014 

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Table of content 


What factors may influence success of Community Pharmacy 

Stop Smoking Services? K. Mortensen, M. Kinnear, A Muir..... 4 

Q&A of the authors ......................................................................... 5 

The propargyl dericatives of quinobenzo- and 

quinonaphthothiazines. M. Małowska, K. Maciusiak, M. Jeleń, 

K. Pluta, B. Morak-Młodawska, K. Suwińska............................ 6 


Crosstalk between integrin-beta1 and TGF-beta signalling in 

breast cancer cells. P. Akhavan................................................. 8 


Characterization of nanosystems - polyplexes - for the specific 

delivery of siRNA targeting HDAC7. D. Barreira ..................... 10 

Q&A of the authors .................................................................. 11 

EUFEPS information ..................................................................... 13 

3


What factors may influence success 

of Community Pharmacy Stop Smoking 

Services? 

Mortensen K, Kinnear M, Muir, A 

NHS Lothian pharmacy service, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom and 

Universities of Tromso, Norway and Strathclyde, Glasgow, United Kingdom 

Background and objective: To obtain an understanding of the factors 

which may impact on the varying success rates of NHS Community Pharmacy 

Stop Smoking Services. 

Setting and method: A questionnaire survey of 182 pharmacies and a 

national database of success rates and client demographics within one health 

board area were used to identify factors. 

Main outcome measures: Questionnaire parameters included client 

recruitment methods; staff training; number, type and continuity of staff; use 

of consultation room; approach used; use of appointments; use of carbon 

monoxide monitoring and perceived outcomes from repeated quit attempts. 

Database parameters included gender, age and employment status. Arbitrary 

pharmacy categories based on their success rates were used to identify 

potential predictors of success. 

Results: During 2012, a median (interquartile range (IQR)) of 19 (6 – 45) quit 

attempts per pharmacy was recorded and the IQR for quit rates (self-reported 

at 4 weeks) was 25.8% to 55.1%. Questionnaire responses (n = 81), suggested 

the consulting room was used commonly for initial consultations but less 

frequently for follow-up consultations. Not all pharmacy staff accessed the NHS 

smoking cessation training, some utilised sponsored training and employment 

training, some had only one-off training. A higher proportion (p < 0.001) of 

responders with a success rate ≥ 41% and with client quit attempts ≥ 10 had 

clients over 45 years of age compared to responders with a success rate < 41% 

and with client quit attempts ≥ 10. Using the same arbitrary groups there were 

differences in the proportions of males and females (p = 0.045) and employed 

clients and non-employed clients (p < 0.001) having a successful quit attempt. 

Responses did not suggest other potentially influencing factors on success 

rates. Respondents requested to receive feedback on their success rates. 

Conclusions: Gender, age, employment status of clients and use of the 

consultation room in community pharmacies are potential factors to test 

for association with successful smoking cessation outcomes. Feedback of 

success rates may motivate pharmacies. Defining levels of competence to 

deliver the service may inform training needs and improve consistency in 

standard of service delivery. 

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Q&A of the authors 

General information about Mr Kristian Mortensen 

Age: 26 

City/country: Tromso, Norway 

E-mail address: Kristian_mm@hotmail.com 

University: University of Strathclyde. 


Why did you select this topic for your research? 

I developed a great interest for clinical pharmacy 

throughout my years as a pharmacy student, and Scotland 

is among the leading nations in clinical pharmacy. 

Therefore, I decided to complete my master's thesis in Scotland. I also chose 

Scotland to meet new people and learn about different customs and culture 

to further develop myself both professionally and personally. As for the topic, 

smoking cessation services, it was assigned to me. At first, I thought smoking 

cessation sounded really dull and uninteresting, but as I got deeper into the 

subject, I found I had developed a true passion for it. The complexity of quitting 

smoking successfully, is truly fascinating. 

How do you feel you have coped with the challenges that research can bring? 

Very good question. Before starting my thesis, I did not know that there were 

so many challenges with research. As pharmacists, we have a tendency to 

want everything to be perfect, but with research there are many bumps in 

the road that you cannot anticipate. Throughout the project period, I often 

gave myself a hard time, thinking that I could have done things better. But my 

supervisor always calmed me down by reminding me that a master's thesis is 

a learning process. The learning curve has been incredibly steep! 

What personal skills did you develop as a researcher during your research 

period? 

I have developed a lot more trust in myself with regards to decision making, 

and discussing academic and professional matters with superiors and other 

medical professionals. As pharmacists, we encounter quite a few 'know-it-all' 

physicians; I think the skills I have learned during my time on the project will 

be really helpful when it comes to discussing patient-orientated matters with 

these professionals. 

Anything else you want to share with the students in Europe? recommendations? 

To students working on similar projects: do not give yourself a hard time if 

everything does not go exactly as planned. Prepare, adapt and improvise! 

5


THE PROPARGYL DERIVATIVES OF 

QUINOBENZO- AND QUINONAPHTHOTHIAZINES 

M. Małowska 1 , K. Maciusiak 1 , M. Jeleń 1 , K. Pluta 1 , B. Morak-Młodawska 1 , K. Suwińska 2 

Students Scientific Group and Department of Organic Chemistry, The Medical University of 

Silesia 1 ; Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland 2 

Classical tricyclic phenothiazines, representing the dibenzo-1,4-thiazine ring 

system, attract attention because of their significant biological activities and 

interesting chemical features. Those with aminoalkyl substituents at the nitrogen 

atom in position 10 are valuable drugs exhibiting neuroleptic, antihistaminic, 

antitussive and antiemetic activities. Recently the phenothiazine structure has 

been modified by introduction of new substituents and by substitution of the 

benzene rings with homoaromatic and heteroaromatic rings. The substitution 

with an azine ring leads to azaphenothiazines. Such structure modifications 

changed type of biological properties to show very promising anticancer, 

antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory activities, reversal of multidrug 

resistance and potential benefit in treatment of Alzheimer’s, Creutzfeldt- 

Jakob’s and AIDS-associated diseases. 

The aim of this study was to elaborate the synthesis of new type of 

tetra- and pentacyclic azaphenothiazines, quinobenzothiazines and 

quinonaphthothiazines, possessing the quinoline and naphthalene rings 

instead of the benzene rings. 

The synthesis of those azaphenothiazines was based on the reactions 

of diquinodithiin and diquinolinyl disulfide with substituted anilines, 

and naphthylamines. The obtained NH-quinobenzothiazines and 

quinonaphthothiazines were transformed into derivatives containing a 

pharmacophoric propargyl substituent in the reaction with propargyl bromide. 

As the synthesis can proceed through the Smiles rearrangement, the 

crucial problem was the proper identification of the product structures. The 

identification of the product structures was based on the spectroscopic NMR 

(1H, 13C, 2D experiments), MS and X-ray analysis of their derivatives. The 

analysis excluded the rearrangement products. 

Most compounds exhibited significant activities as glycosylphosphatidylinositol 

phospholipase D inhibitor, anaphylatoxin receptor antagonist, antiparkinsonian 

and muscular dystrophy treatment in silico screening. The new azaphenothiazines 

will be tested for their anticancer and antioxidant activities. 

In conclusion, the efficient synthesis of new azaphenothiazines containing the 

quinoline and naphthalene moieties was elaborated. 

References: K. Pluta, B. Morak-Młodawska, M. Jeleń, Eur. J. Med. Chem., 46, (2011) 3179, M. 

Jeleń, K. Pluta, Heterocycles, 78 (2009) 2325, PASS-http//www.pharmaexpert.ru/PASSOnline/ 

index.php. 

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General information about Ms Monika Malowska 

City and Country: Katowice, Poland 

Year of Study: 5th. 

E-mail: monika.malowskaa@gmail.com 



I have always been interested in the preparation of 

medicines. During my studies I have found out how the 

formation and identification of new compound is difficult. 

Anyone who takes pills, expects biological effect. The most 

often active substance in drugs is organic compound. Phenothiazines belong 

to the oldest, synthetic, antipsychotic drugs. The structural modifications 

to phenothiazines change the biological properties, for example: anticancer, 

antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory activities, reversal of multidrug 

resistance and potential benefit in treatment of Alzheimer’s, Creutzfeldt- 

Jakob’s and AIDS-associated diseases. The relationship between chemical 

structure and biological activity is very interesting. 


I took part in real scientific research and chemical synthesis based on 

the theoretical and practical knowledge. I synthesized new derivatives of 

phenothiazines which were examined for their anticancer and antioxidant 

activity. I hope that the obtained compounds will be a medicine of the future. 


period? 

I found out that synthesis of new compounds require a lot of time and patience. 

Chemical synthesis leads to the formation of variety products; that’s why the 

desired product is difficult to separate out. The new products’ structures 

were deduced using spectroscopic NMR analysis (1H, 13C, two-dimensional 

experiment), mass spectrometry and X-ray analysis. As a researcher I got 

to know new methods of product identification and how to synthesise new 

compounds. 

Anything else you want to share with the students in Europe? Recommendations? 

The aim of this study was to synthesize a new derivatives of phenothiazines, 

which exhibit other than neuroleptic activity. It was very valuable experience 

for me. I would like to encourage you to deepen your knowledge. Participate 

in the scientific group, student’s exchange or oral presentation may improve 

your ability. If you are reading this text I believe that you are on the right way 

to achieve it. 

7


Crosstalk between integrin-beta1 and 

TGF-beta signalling in breast cancer 

cells 

Ms. Parand Akhavan 

University of Leiden, the department of toxicology at the Leiden Academic Centre for Drug 

Research (LACDR) 

As the incidence levels of breast cancer continues to increase, the 

development and discovery of novel treatments are an ongoing priority to 

researchers. Adhesion receptors of the integrin family allow cells to interact 

with their environment. These receptors play a crucial role in cell survival and 

growth which make integrins potential drug targets in oncology. Some integrin 

antagonists are currently tested in clinical trials. Our group has found that 

such strategies can decrease the tumour size but actually increase metastatic 

spreading of triple negative breast cancer cells. This involves the activation of 

the TGF-beta signalling network leading to a loss of the E-cadherin cell-cell 

adhesion receptor. 

In this research project the aim lies in further unravelling the relation between 

beta1-integrin, the TGF-beta/BMP pathway, and E-cadherin expression in the 

modulation of breast cancer metastasis. We do this using the triple negative 

human breast cancer cell lines: BT20, HCC 1806, 70, 1596 & MDA-MB-468. 

Effects of TGF-beta stimulation and beta1 integrin knockdown are analysed 

using qPCR and western blot. qPCR results show a difference in regulation of 

TGF-beta/BMP pathway factors between the BT20 and the HCC 1806 &MDA- 

MB-468 and their respective knockdowns. Further validation is needed to 

make an accurate distinction. In parallel, we investigate whether the changes 

observed in vitro can also be seen in vivo in the tumours generated with 

these cell lines in mice. Immunohistochemistry is used to detect differences 

in E-cadherin and components, such as pSMAD2, of the TGF-beta signalling 

pathway in tumours derived from wild type or beta-1-integrin knockdown 

breast cancer cells. 

Together, this study will further unravel how integrins control signalling 

pathways regulating cell migration and metastasis. This will shed light on the 

reasons why integrin antagonists can inhibit breast cancer growth but also 

cause enhanced metastatic spread. 

8


General information about Ms. Parand Akhavan 

Age: 22 

City and country: Leiden, The Netherlands 

Email address: parandakhavan@gmail.com 

University: University of Leiden 


It was partly a personal reason but also because the 

research into cancer and its metastasis is always ongoing. 

It is so amazing to see how, even if it is in vitro, cells 

change their behaviour. 



In the beginning it sometimes really drove me mad if something didn’t work for 

the 20th time or if the cells I work with didn’t grow or there weren’t enough to 

perform an experiment. Along the way you learn to let go of that and anticipate 

certain challenges. The thing that also changes is that you learn who to turn to 

for help. 


period? 

I think the most important thing you learn in research is patience. In my case I 

am dependent on different factors which I can’t control such as cell growth. If 

the cells don’t have the confluency needed for an experiment you need to wait. 


Try to see every aspect of your studies. It can amaze you what you finally end 

up enjoying the most. 

9


CHARACTERIZATION OF NANOSYSTEMS - 

POLYPLEXES - FOR THE SPECIFIC DELIVERY OF 

siRNA TARGETING HDAC7 

Daniel António Esperança Faustino Monteiro Barreira. 

Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa 

Cancer is one of the most deadly pathologies in the world; therefore, it is 

important to have as many and different approaches as possible when it comes 

to its treatment. As it is a complex and highly heterogeneous pathology, classic 

treatments are often lacking efficiency and are insufficient, which makes even 

more important the development of new strategies, such as gene targeting 

therapy. 

Concerning different delivery system-based approaches, there are both viral 

and non-viral vectors. The non-viral vectors, which are here under discussion, 

are resultant from the complexation of siRNA molecules with cationic polymers. 

Preliminary formulation studies have been performed using several polymers 

– C93, C122, C145, C172 and C173 - in which several tests were performed. 

These tests included determination of polyplexes capacity to release siRNA 

into the cytoplasm in the presence of heparin, polyplexes stability and diameter 

variation depending on pH modulation, and polyplexes capacity to protect 

siRNA from serum nuclease RNase A. 

Regarding the heparin destabilization, the developed polyplexes proved to 

effectively release siRNA in the presence of heparin, being the amount released 

dependent on the quantity of heparin used (1 UI being the minimum quantity to 

effectively promote the release of siRNA). 

About the pH, the polyplexes proved to be stable at pH values varying from 

7.5 to 5 (pH 6.0–6.5 in early endosomes to pH 4.5–5.5 in late endosomes and 

lysosomal compartment) and to have no significant variation in particle size 

diameter at lower pH values. 

Concerning the complexes resistance to RNase A, all proved to be resistant to 

this enzyme. 

The polymers used for siRNA complexation lead to complexes that have 

shown to have promising parameters being thus promising candidates for 

further in vitro studies, as cellular uptake and viability studies, assessment of 

topographical profiles and complexes’ biological effect by inferring their ability 

to reduce the level of the HDAC7 protein and thus inhibit its biological function. 

Keywords: Cancer therapies, Angiogenesis, Polyplexes, Heparin, HDAC7 and 

siRNA 

10


General information about Mr Daniel Barreira 

Age: 24 years old 

From: Lisboa, Portugal. 

daniel.espbarreira@gmail.com, 

Université de Liège (Belgium) 



Oncology is a hot topic in health sciences and a 

challenging area to any pharmacist or student interested 

in research. So, cancer - and particularly gene therapy 

applied to tumors - is a whole new world to explore, therefore I was curious to 

go deeper into that subject. 


As I was doing research in a foreign country first I had to adapt to different 

methodologies. After I found my comfort zone, I think I became up to the 

challenge and enthusiastic about knowing more and being able to self-instruct 

about the topic. 


period? 

I think time management and perseverance are of the utmost importance. Also, 

it is important to find the motivation (be it in your research work or in other 

tasks) when the results don’t match what you expect or when the research 

work is going in a wrong/unexpected direction. 


I would really encourage any of you to try research work as it is one of the most 

rewarding experiences that I’ve had so far academically. Also, independent 

of the career path you choose you will develop some transitional skills to an 

upper level. Definitely try it! 

11

EPSA Students' Science Publication


The European Federation for 

Pharmaceutical Sciences (EUFEPS) 

The European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences is a voluntary 

association of pharmaceutical scientists, established in 1991 to advance 

research in the pharmaceutical sciences in Europe. This can be achieved by 

promoting cooperation between national, regional and European societies or 

associations which aim at the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences, and by 

promoting cooperation between and with other pharmaceutical organisations 

and between individual pharmaceutical scientists. 

The Mission 

EUFEPS exists to help to meet the challenges and seize the opportunities 

created by the consolidations occurring both within Europe and globally, 

driven on by a combination of rapid advances in science and technology, 

economic pressures, and by political will. Within this frame, EUFEPS’s role and 

contributions are amply expressed in its mission statement “EUFEPS serves 

and advances excellence in the pharmaceutical sciences and innovative drug 

research in Europe”. Spearheading a number of initiatives, EUFEPS works with 

its membership, throughout the nations of Europe. 

European Dimension 

EUFEPS is unique being the only pan-European organisation that represents, 

under one umbrella, all the pharmaceutical sciences and pharmaceutical 

scientists engaged in drug research and development, drug regulation and 

drug policy making. The existence of such an umbrella platform facilitates the 

highly innovative, integrative and interdisciplinary approaches that are essential 

if we, in Europe, are to deliver to our citizens safe, effective, economic and 

timely medicines. The ultimate benefits are an improving health, quality of life, 

and wealth of our continent. 

13


EUFEPS is recognised by the European Commission, as representing the 

integrative pharmaceutical sciences within Europe. EUEFPS is also recognised 

by the EMEA as a neutral scientific resource for independent opinions on draft 

regulatory guidelines, while EUFEPS works with other European organisations, 

such as EFPIA, to help identify and promote training to meet industrial needs. 

EUFEPS has the ambition to provide a forum for policy development in 

the pharmaceutical sciences, particularly in relations to the discovery and 

development of new drugs and their introduction into the market, but also as 

to medicines usage. This includes policies on and leadership development as 

to: research, education & training, profiling and regulatory affairs. 

In addition, EUFEPS plays an active and influential role also in the global arena. 

It is recognised by the USA FDA and it works actively with its sister organisation 

AAPS to develop co-sponsored meetings and workshops that run alternatively 

in Europe and the USA, and is developing links with Asian scientists. Through 

involvement with its Board of Pharmaceutical Sciences, EUFEPS is also 

working with FIP to advance the pharmaceutical sciences globally. 

14


Conferences and Workshops organised by 

EUFEPS: 

EUFEPS and BABP Network conference 

Date: May 6-7, 2014 

Place: Berlin, Germany 

EUFEPS Annual Meeting 2014: Medicines 

for the Future – System Approaches to 

shape Pharmaceutical Science 

Date: June 16-18, 2014 

Place: Uppsala, Sweden 

In addition to these events that is organised, EUFEPS also is 

listed as co-sponsors to several events during the year. For More 

information see: http://www.eufeps.org/conferences 

15

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