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Publication
Metallic nanoparticles with potential for the treatment of localized prostate cancer
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Abstract(s)
O cancro da próstata é uma doença de elevada prevalência, por 10000 habitantes, que tende a aumentar com a idade. Esta patologia é difícil de detetar numa fase inicial devido à ausência de sintomas, daí a importância da monitorização dos sinais para uma deteção precoce. Esta doença pode ser detetada por vários métodos, nomeadamente os níveis plasmáticos do antigénio específico da próstata (PSA) e o toque rectal, sendo necessária a realização de biópsia para confirmar o diagnóstico. O mecanismo da hiperplasia da próstata ainda não está totalmente elucidado, mas existe uma hipótese relacionada com o envelhecimento progressivo e uma tríade de fatores, pelo que a idade é o principal fator de risco para o seu desenvolvimento.
Existem abordagens convencionais que têm sido utilizadas como referência no cancro localizado, como a vigilância ativa, a cirurgia ou a radioterapia. No entanto, os efeitos secundários são variados e, por vezes, permanentes. Por conseguinte, têm sido estudadas abordagens terapêuticas inovadoras com o objetivo de melhorar os resultados, tanto em termos de remissão do tumor como de efeitos secundários. As estratégias de tratamento que visam a ablação do tecido tumoral através da indução de uma luz externa são não-invasivas, localizadas e reduzem consideravelmente as lesões nos tecidos periféricos. Uma delas é a terapia fotodinâmica (PDT) e envolve a fotooxidação de moléculas que culminam na formação de espécies reativas de oxigénio (ROS), induzindo a morte celular. Por outro lado, a terapia fototérmica (PTT) baseia-se na indução de hipertermia nas células cancerígenas, irradiando-as com feixes de luz com um comprimento de onda específico. Para melhorar o calor gerado, as nanopartículas de ouro (AuNPs) têm as características desejáveis que têm chamado a atenção para a PTT. Vários estudos apontam as AuNPs como nanomateriais eficientes na PTT para o tratamento de tumores, incluindo o cancro da próstata. No nosso grupo de investigação, o objetivo é produzir e caraterizar as AuNPs em termos de tamanho, morfologia, propriedades óticas, segurança e eficácia. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho foram muito promissores em termos de eficácia, tendo sido preparadas AuNPs que se revelaram seguras e com características adequadas ao fim a que se destinam.
Prostate cancer is a high prevalence disease, per 10000 habitants, that tends to increase with age. This pathology is difficult to detect at an early stage due to the absence of symptoms, hence the importance of monitoring signs for early detection. This disease can be detected by various methods, including plasmatic levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and rectal touch, with biopsy being necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The mechanism of prostate hyperplasia has not yet been fully elucidated, but there is a hypothesis related to progressive ageing and a triad of factors, therefore, age is the major risk factor for its development. There are conventional approaches that have been used as a reference in localized cancer, such as active surveillance, surgery, or radiotherapy. However, the side effects are varied and, sometimes, permanent. Innovative therapeutic approaches have, therefore, been studied with the aim of improve outcomes in terms of both tumor remission and side effects. Treatment strategies aimed at ablating tumor tissue by inducing an external light are non- invasive, localized and, considerably, reduce lesions in peripheral tissues. One is photodynamic therapy (PDT) and it involves the photooxidation of molecules culminating in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing cell death. On the other hand, photothermal therapy (PTT) is based on inducing hyperthermia in cancer cells by irradiating them with beams of light at a specific wavelength. To improve the heat generated, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have those desirable characteristics that have drawn attention to PTT. Various studies point to AuNPs as efficient nanomaterials in PTT for the treatment of tumors, including prostate cancer. In my research, the aim is to produce and characterize AuNPs in terms of size, morphology, optical properties, safety and efficacy. The results have been favourable in term of efficacy, and safe AuNPs have been obtained with characteristics suitable for their intended future purpose.
Prostate cancer is a high prevalence disease, per 10000 habitants, that tends to increase with age. This pathology is difficult to detect at an early stage due to the absence of symptoms, hence the importance of monitoring signs for early detection. This disease can be detected by various methods, including plasmatic levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and rectal touch, with biopsy being necessary to confirm the diagnosis. The mechanism of prostate hyperplasia has not yet been fully elucidated, but there is a hypothesis related to progressive ageing and a triad of factors, therefore, age is the major risk factor for its development. There are conventional approaches that have been used as a reference in localized cancer, such as active surveillance, surgery, or radiotherapy. However, the side effects are varied and, sometimes, permanent. Innovative therapeutic approaches have, therefore, been studied with the aim of improve outcomes in terms of both tumor remission and side effects. Treatment strategies aimed at ablating tumor tissue by inducing an external light are non- invasive, localized and, considerably, reduce lesions in peripheral tissues. One is photodynamic therapy (PDT) and it involves the photooxidation of molecules culminating in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing cell death. On the other hand, photothermal therapy (PTT) is based on inducing hyperthermia in cancer cells by irradiating them with beams of light at a specific wavelength. To improve the heat generated, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have those desirable characteristics that have drawn attention to PTT. Various studies point to AuNPs as efficient nanomaterials in PTT for the treatment of tumors, including prostate cancer. In my research, the aim is to produce and characterize AuNPs in terms of size, morphology, optical properties, safety and efficacy. The results have been favourable in term of efficacy, and safe AuNPs have been obtained with characteristics suitable for their intended future purpose.
Description
Trabalho Final de Mestrado Integrado, Ciências Farmacêuticas, 2023, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia.
Keywords
Prostate cancer Photothermal therapy Gold nanoparticles Production and characterization Mestrado Integrado -2023