Liposomes versus metallic nanostructures: differences in the process of knowledge translation in cancer

Abstract

This research maps the knowledge translation process for two different types of nanotechnologies applied to cancer: liposomes and metallic nanostructures (MNs). We performed a structural analysis of citation networks and text mining supported in controlled vocabularies. In the case of liposomes, our results identify subnetworks (invisible colleges) associated with different therapeutic strategies: nanopharmacology, hyperthermia, and gene therapy. Only in the pharmacological strategy was an organized knowledge translation process identified, which, however, is monopolized by the liposomal doxorubicins. In the case of MNs, subnetworks are not differentiated by the type of therapeutic strategy, and the content of the documents is still basic research. Research on MNs is highly focused on developing a combination of molecular imaging and photothermal therapy.

Hierarchy of Knowledge Translation: From Health Problems to Ad-Hoc Drug Design

“…[8][9][10][11]23] Translational research would occupy an in-between topological position in the network connecting the basic with the clinical research. [8][9][10][11]23] Similarly, papers that are in the same observation scale (molecular, cellular, organism, population) tend to stick together. [11] Moreover, it is completely feasible to identify research communities that work on common problems with similar approaches using network analysis tools like those based in the Newman's modularity.…”

“…[11] Moreover, it is completely feasible to identify research communities that work on common problems with similar approaches using network analysis tools like those based in the Newman's modularity. [8][9][10][11]20] The distribution of citations and information among the papers and patents follows a power law function (were a variable is the power of other). [24] In the case of citations, a power law distribution implies that a very few number of papers (or patents) receive a huge quantity of citation and the most of manuscripts are few or never cited.…”

“…[6,7] In previous investigations, we have shown how the combination of biomedical-bioinformatics and scientometrics could be useful to handle the complexity of biomedical knowledge and its translation into innovations. [8][9][10][11] These two fields have different approaches on the information. On the one hand, biomedical bioinformatics processes, organizes, structures, integrates and represents data in order to obtain meaningful and useful information that could be used, for example, to discover new drugs, make medical decisions or improve health care quality.…”

“…[13] Differently, our approach focuses on the communication of biomedical information among researchers and simultaneously organizes, structures and represents the communicated information using bioinformatics tools. [8][9][10][11] Particularly, knowledge translation is understood as a communication process between the basic and the clinical research levels. [14] In this process, a new interdisciplinary or translational language emerges.…”

“…One study compares the NT process in two types of nanotechnologies to treat cancer: liposomes versus metal nanoparticles. [9] The other study focuses in the development of Doxil, [10] the first approved nanodrug. [15]…”