Advances in Cancer Treatment: Role of Nanoparticles

This chapter is devoted to the advances in the field of nanoparticles-mediated cancer treatment. A special attention is devoted to the use of magnetite and silver nanoparticles. The synthesis and properties of Fe3O4 and Ag nanoparticles as contrast or antitumoral agents as monolith or component of more complex systems such as polymer matrix composite materials based on: polymers (chitosan, collagen, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylates, and polymethacrylates, polylactic acid, etc.) and various antitumoral agents (cytostatics, natural agents and even nanoparticles-magnetite, silver, or gold) are discussed. Special attention is paid for the benefits and risks of using silver and magnetite nanoparticles. In both cases, the discussion focuses on aspects related to diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The influence of size and shape [1-3] is important from the materials characteristics as well as from the biological points of view. The role of magnetite is also analyzed from the point of view of its influence on the delivery of different components of interests (antitumoral components, analgesics/anti-inflammatory agents, etc.). The potentiating effect of the nanoparticles over the cytostatics and natural components is highlighted

Multifunctional materials for bone cancer treatment

The purpose of this review is to present the most recent findings in bone tissue engineering. Special attention is given to multifunctional materials based on collagen and collagen-hydroxyapatite composites used for skin and bone cancer treatments. The multi-functionality of these materials was obtained by adding to the base regenerative grafts proper components, such as ferrites (magnetite being the most important representative), cytostatics (cisplatin, carboplatin, vincristine, methotrexate, paclitaxel, doxorubicin), silver nanoparticles, antibiotics (anthracyclines, geldanamycin), and/or analgesics (ibuprofen, fentanyl). The suitability of complex systems for the intended applications was systematically analyzed. The developmental possibilities of multifunctional materials with regenerative and curative roles (antitumoral as well as pain management) in the field of skin and bone cancer treatment are discussed. It is worth mentioning that better materials are likely to be developed by combining conventional and unconventional experimental strategies

Layered Composites Based on Recycled PET/Functionalized Woven Flax Fibres

Extended Abstract Plastic waste is generated by a variety of sources including packaging, automotive, consumer goods, electrical and electronics industries, leading to a significant growth in the volume of waste and the impetuous need to reduce it The paper aims at developing new layered composite materials based on recycled thermoplastic polymer (PETpolyethylene terephthalate) from the food industry reinforced with woven flax fiber functionalized with nano (micro) particles of titanium or alumina and testing the composite in terms of physico-mechanical (tensile strength, bending, shock, etc.), morphological (SEM), structural (FTIR), and thermal (Vicat) properties. Based on this technology, the new composite will exhibit improved physical, mechanical and thermal properties, as well as resistance to mold attack. In this regard, in the first stage, the surface of flax fibers were chemically modified using aluminum (AlCl3), and titanium (titanium butoxide) precursors followed by precipitation. The woven flax whose surface was functionalized with nano (micro) alumina or TiO2 particles were subsequently used to obtain layered composite materials. Layered composite materials were obtained by alternating functionalized / not functionalized woven flax fiber with sheets made from recycled PET. The recycled PET sheets and layered composites based on recycled PET and functionalized / not functionalized woven flax fiber were obtained by press molding using an electrical press at the following optimum parameters: plate temperature -254ºC, preheating time -8 min; pressing time -2 min; cooling time -15 min; pressing force -100 kN. Special attention must be paid to the pre-drying process (at 100-110ºC) to remove adsorbed water. In the absence of the pre-drying operation, the resulting sheets exhibit holes, porosity and discontinuities, making them unusable for the development of layered composite materials. Physical, mechanical and thermal analyses results for specimens of layered composite materials based on recycled PET / functionalised woven flax fiber show significantly improved values compared with the control samples obtained from recycled PET / not functionalized flax fiber. Improved mechanical and thermal properties are due to links developed at the woven flax fiber / polymer phase interphase. Results have also been confirmed by SEM, while the degree of adhesion and the interpenetration of polymer phase / woven flax fiber are superior in the case of composites made of functionalized flax fibers in comparison with the unfunctionalized ones

3D Propolis-Sodium Alginate Scaffolds: Influence on Structural Parameters, Release Mechanisms, Cell Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activity

FEN-C-YLP-130319-0065 BAPKO Project. UID/CTM/50025/2019In this study, the main aim was to fabricate propolis (Ps)-containing wound dressing patches using 3D printing technology. Different combinations and structures of propolis (Ps)-incorporated sodium alginate (SA) scaffolds were developed. The morphological studies showed that the porosity of developed scaffolds was optimized when 20% (v/v) of Ps was added to the solution. The pore sizes decreased by increasing Ps concentration up to a certain level due to its adhesive properties. The mechanical, swelling-degradation (weight loss) behaviors, and Ps release kinetics were highlighted for the scaffold stability. An antimicrobial assay was employed to test and screen antimicrobial behavior of Ps against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains. The results show that the Ps-added scaffolds have an excellent antibacterial activity because of Ps compounds. An in vitro cytotoxicity test was also applied on the scaffold by using the extract method on the human dermal fibroblasts (HFFF2) cell line. The 3D-printed SA-Ps scaffolds are very useful structures for wound dressing applications.publishersversionpublishe

Microelectromechanical Systems Based on Magnetic Polymer Films

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) have been increasingly used worldwide in a wide range of applications, including high tech, energy, medicine or environmental applications. Magnetic polymer composite films have been used extensively in the development of the micropumps and valves, which are critical components of the microelectromechanical systems. Based on the literature survey, several polymers and magnetic micro and nanopowders can be identified and, depending on their nature, ratio, processing route and the design of the device, their performances can be tuned from simple valves and pumps to biomimetic devices, such as, for instance, hearth ventricles. In many such devices, polymer magnetic films are used, the disposal of the magnetic component being either embedded into the polymer or coated on the polymer. One or more actuation zones can be used and the flow rate can be mono-directional or bi-directional depending on the design. In this paper, we review the main advances in the development of these magnetic polymer films and derived MEMS: microvalve, micropump, micromixer, microsensor, drug delivery micro-systems, magnetic labeling and separation microsystems, etc. It is important to mention that these MEMS are continuously improving from the point of view of performances, energy consumption and actuation mechanism and a clear tendency in developing personalized treatment. Due to the improved energy efficiency of special materials, wearable devices are developed and be suitable for medical applications

Organometallic Compounds and Metal Complexes in Cancer Therapy

Globally, colon cancer is a major cause of deaths, being the fourth most common type of cancer in the world. The most common therapeutic choice in the early stages of colon cancer is surgical resection, but in some stages of the disease, adjuvant chemotherapy is recommended and is essential for the proper treatment of this pathology [1]. Complex combinations based on metals play an important role in the treatment of cancer because of their cytotoxic properties against cancer cells. An organometallic compound that can be used clinically and that plays an important role in the treatment of patients with colon cancer is oxaliplatin. Following studies, chlorine-based derivatives of Au (I)-phosphate showed comparable values to cisplatin on HT-29 (colon cancer) cell lines. Further studies continued to determine absorption at the cellular level, showing that most lipophilic compounds demonstrated a higher colon cancer cell absorption, meaning that they could be correlated with high antiproliferative activity [2]. Copper-based complex combinations were studied, and an inhibitory effect in the nanomolar range on the Colo 205 and Colo 320 colon cancer cell lines was thus observed. Some complexes showed increased toxicity to cancer cells compared to the MRC-5 cell lines. The antiproliferative activity of these complex combinations is significantly low in normal cell lines, thus increasing selectivity towards neoplastic cells was observed. Complex combinations based on Cu (I) show cytotoxic effects against LoVo MDR cell lines that are five times higher compared to oxaliplatin, thus showing the ability to overcome oxaliplatin resistance [3]. Nanostructured drug delivery systems allow the incorporation of metal-based drugs, thus limiting some of their most common shortcomings, such as low selectivity, low solubility and permeability, and high toxicity, which limit he dosage and the emergence of resistance at the cellular level [4]. These drug delivery systems are able to carry the drug and to release it according to its requested dose, even in a targeted manner, thus improving therapeutic activity and limiting systemic toxicity

Combination Therapy Using Polyphenols: An Efficient Way to Improve Antitumoral Activity and Reduce Resistance

Polyphenols represent a structural class of mainly natural organic chemicals that contain multiple phenol structural units. The beneficial properties of polyphenols have been extensively studied for their antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial effects, but nowadays, their medical applications are starting to be extended to many other applications due to their prebiotic role and their impact on the microbiota. This review focused on the use of polyphenols in cancer treatment. Their antineoplastic effects have been demonstrated in various studies when they were tested on numerous cancer lines and some in in vivo models. A431 and SCC13 human skin cancer cell lines treated with EGCG presented a reduced cell viability and enhanced cell death due to the inactivation of β-catenin signaling. Additionally, resveratrol showed a great potential against breast cancer mainly due to its ability to exert both anti-estrogenic and estrogenic effects (based on the concentration) and because it has a high affinity for estrogen receptors ERα and Erβ. Polyphenols can be combined with different classical cytostatic agents to enhance their therapeutic effects on cancer cells and to also protect healthy cells from the aggressiveness of antitumor drugs due to their anti-inflammatory properties. For instance, curcumin has been reported to reduce the gastrointestinal toxicity associated with chemotherapy. In the case of 5-FU-induced, it reduced the gastrointestinal toxicity by increasing the intestinal permeability and inhibiting mucosal damage. Co-administration of EGCG and doxorubicin induced the death of liver cancer cells. EGCG has the ability to inhibit autophagic activity and stop hepatoma Hep3B cell proliferation This symbiotic approach is well-known in medical practice including in multiple chemotherapy