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Projeto de investigação
Non-invasive photoactivated nanodevices for mammary cancer treatment
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Experimental Models as Refined Translational Tools for Breast Cancer Research
Publication . Costa, Eduardo; Ferreira-Gonçalves, Tânia; Chasqueira, Gonçalo; Cabrita, António S.; Figueiredo, Isabel V.; Reis, Catarina Pinto
Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide, which makes it a very impactful malignancy in the society. Breast cancers can be classified through different systems based on the main tumor features and gene, protein, and cell receptors expression, which will determine the most advisable therapeutic course and expected outcomes. Multiple therapeutic options have already been proposed and implemented for breast cancer treatment. Nonetheless, their use and efficacy still greatly depend on the tumor classification, and treatments are commonly associated with invasiveness, pain, discomfort, severe side effects, and poor specificity. This has demanded an investment in the research of the mechanisms behind the disease progression, evolution, and associated risk factors, and on novel diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. However, advances in the understanding and assessment of breast cancer are dependent on the ability to mimic the properties and microenvironment of tumors in vivo, which can be achieved through experimentation on animal models. This review covers an overview of the main animal models used in breast cancer research, namely in vitro models, in vivo models, in silico models, and other models. For each model, the main characteristics, advantages, and challenges associated to their use are highlighted.
Safety and efficacy assessment of aerogels for biomedical applications
Publication . Ferreira-Gonçalves, Tânia; Constantin, Carolina; Neagu, Monica; Reis, Catarina Pinto; Sabri, Firouzeh; Simón-Vázquez, Rosana
The unique physicochemical properties of aerogels have made them an attractive class of materials for biomedical applications such as drug delivery, regenerative medicine, and wound healing. Their low density, high porosity, and ability to regulate the pore structure makes aerogels ideal nano/micro-structures for loading of drugs and active biomolecules. As a result of this, the number of in vitro and in vivo studies on the therapeutic efficacy of these porous materials has increased substantially in recent years and continues to be an area of great interest. However, data about their in vivo performance and safety is limited. Studies have shown that polymer-based, silica-based and some hybrid aerogels are generally regarded as safe but given that studies on the acute, subacute, and chronic toxicity for the majority of aerogel types is missing, more work is still needed. This review presents a comprehensive summary of different biomedical applications of aerogels proposed to date as well as new and innovative applications of aerogels in other areas such as decontamination. We have also reviewed their biological effect on cells and living organisms with a focus on therapeutic efficacy and overall safety (in vivo and in vitro).
Non-invasive photoactivated nanodevices for breast cancer treatment
Publication . Ferreira-Gonçalves, Tânia; Reis, Ana Catarina Beco Pinto; Ferreira, Hugo Alexandre Teixeira Duarte; Ferreira, David Orlando Alves
The Role of Rosmarinic Acid on the Bioproduction of Gold Nanoparticles as Part of a Photothermal Approach for Breast Cancer Treatment
Publication . Ferreira-Gonçalves, Tânia; Gaspar, Maria Manuela; Coelho, João M. P.; Marques, Vanda; Viana, Ana S.; Ascensão, Lia; Carvalho, Lina; Rodrigues, Cecília M. P.; Ferreira, Hugo Alexandre; Alves Ferreira, David; Reis, Catarina Pinto
Breast cancer is a high-burden malignancy for society, whose impact boosts a continuous search for novel diagnostic and therapeutic tools. Among the recent therapeutic approaches, photothermal therapy (PTT), which causes tumor cell death by hyperthermia after being irradiated with a light source, represents a high-potential strategy. Furthermore, the effectiveness of PTT can be improved by combining near infrared (NIR) irradiation with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as photothermal enhancers. Herein, an alternative synthetic method using rosmarinic acid (RA) for synthesizing AuNPs is reported. The RA concentration was varied and its impact on the AuNPs physicochemical and optical features was assessed. Results showed that RA concentration plays an active role on AuNPs features, allowing the optimization of mean size and maximum absorbance peak. Moreover, the synthetic method explored here allowed us to obtain negatively charged AuNPs with sizes favoring the local particle accumulation at tumor site and maximum absorbance peaks within the NIR region. In addition, AuNPs were safe both in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, the synthesized AuNPs present favorable properties to be applied as part of a PTT system combining AuNPs with a NIR laser for the treatment of breast cancer.
Proof-of-Concept Study of Multifunctional Hybrid Nanoparticle System Combined with NIR Laser Irradiation for the Treatment of Melanoma
Publication . Lopes, Joana; Ferreira-Gonçalves, Tânia; Figueiredo, Isabel V.; Rodrigues, Cecília M. P.; Ferreira, Hugo; Ferreira, David; Viana, Ana S.; Faísca, Pedro; Gaspar, Maria Manuela; Coelho, João M. P.; Silva, Catarina Oliveira; Reis, Catarina Pinto
The global impact of cancer emphasizes the importance of developing innovative, effective and minimally invasive therapies. In the context of superficial cancers, the development of a multifunctional nanoparticle-based system and its in vitro and in vivo safety and efficacy characterization are, herein, proposed as a proof-of-concept. This multifunctional system consists of gold nanoparticles coated with hyaluronic and oleic acids, and functionalized with epidermal growth factor for greater specificity towards cutaneous melanoma cells. This nanoparticle system is activated by a near-infrared laser. The characterization of this nanoparticle system included several phases, with in vitro assays being firstly performed to assess the safety of gold nanoparticles without laser irradiation. Then, hairless immunocompromised mice were selected for a xenograft model upon inoculation of A375 human melanoma cells. Treatment with near-infrared laser irradiation for five minutes combined with in situ administration of the nanoparticles showed a tumor volume reduction of approximately 80% and, in some cases, led to the formation of several necrotic foci, observed histologically. No significant skin erythema at the irradiation zone was verified, nor other harmful effects on the excised organs. In conclusion, these assays suggest that this system is safe and shows promising results for the treatment of superficial melanoma.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
OE
Número da atribuição
SFRH/BD/147306/2019