Biomimetic nanocrystalline apatites: Emerging perspectives in cancer diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Nanocrystalline calcium phosphate apatites constitute the mineral part of hard tissues, and the synthesis of biomimetic analogs is now well-mastered at the lab-scale. Recent advances in the fine physico-chemical characterization of these phases enable one to envision original applications in the medical field along with a better understanding of the underlying chemistry and related pharmacological features. In this contribution, we specifically focused on applications of biomimetic apatites in the field of cancer diagnosis or treatment. We first report on the production and first biological evaluations (cytotoxicity, pro-inflammatory potential, internalization by ZR-75-1 breast cancer cells) of individualized luminescent nanoparticles based on Eu-doped apatites, eventually associated with folic acid, for medical imaging purposes. We then detail, in a first approach, the preparation of tridimensional constructs associating nanocrystalline apatite aqueous gels and drug-loaded pectin microspheres. Sustained releases of a fluorescein analog (erythrosin) used as model molecule were obtained over 7 days, in comparison with the ceramic or microsphere reference compounds. Such systems could constitute original bone-filling materials for in situ delivery of anticancer drugs.

Biohybrid Nanostructured Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Satureja hortensis to Prevent Fungal Biofilm Development

“…Magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) has been widely studied for biomedical applications in biological separations [11], drug delivery and targeting [12–15], magnetic resonance imaging [16], hyperthermia [17], cancer treatment [18,19], stabilization of essential oils [20], inhibition of microbial colonization [21] and ferrofluids [9,22]. The magnetic nanoparticles as delivery nanosystems are considered effective new tools to tackle the current challenges in treating infectious diseases, by improving the therapeutic index of antimicrobial drugs, and diminishing the local and systemic side effects including cutaneous irritation, peeling, scaling and gut flora reduction [23].…”

Biomimetic Apatite-Based Functional Nanoparticles as Promising Newcomers in Nanomedicine: Overview of 10 Years of Initiatory Research

“…These cells are activated by inflammatory signals, conducing to an increased capacity to release pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic mediators such as Reactive Oxygen Intermediates (ROI) [36]. As indicated previously [35,37], the measure of the amount of possibly produced ROI was undergone by chemiluminescence: the generation of chemiluminescence was monitored continuously for 1 h after incubation of the cells with luminol (66 mM) and after contact with the colloidal nanoparticles at various concentrations (1.2,12,60 and 120 µg/ml). The experiments were run in triplicate.…”

“…The cytotoxicity of the colloids was assessed on the basis of MTT tests performed by the ICELLTIS Company (Labege, France) [35]. Two types of cells were used: human Adipose tissue Mesenchymal Stem Cells (AMSC) and breast cancer cells ZR-75-1, cultivated in humidified atmosphere with 5% CO 2 at 37°C in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotics (penicillin/streptomycin).…”

“…This was carried out by introducing the colloidal nanoparticles to various types of cells [35]. In particular, MTT tests were run on adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells, denoted AMSC, and human breast cancer cells ZR-75-1.…”

“…Besides such direct cytotoxicity evaluations, it was also interesting to investigate the "pro-inflammatory potential" of these colloidal nanoparticles by checking the interaction with human monocytes [35]. To this aim, the amount of Reactive Oxygenated radical Intermediates (ROI) possibly produced by monocytes under inflammatory stress was followed by way of luminol-enhanced Chemiluminescence (CL).…”