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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
In Vitro Evaluation of Oncogenic Transformation in Human Mammary Epithelial Cells
Published on: September 24, 2020
The efficacy of methotrexate-impregnated hydroxyapatite composites on human mammary carcinoma cells
J Vechasilp1, B Tangtrakulwanich, K Oungbho
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
Purpose:
To investigate the efficacy of local biodegradable composites of hydroxyapatite, plaster of Paris, and a binder of either alginate or chitosan impregnated with methotrexate on human mammary carcinoma cells.
Methods:
An in vitro analysis of drug dissolution and a cytotoxicity test on human mammary carcinoma cells were performed over one month. Physicochemical properties of each composite were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.
Results:
Both composites with a binder of either alginate or chitosan could release methotrexate for over one month. The amount of methotrexate released depended on the amount of methotrexate loaded. The composite using alginate as a binder released a significantly greater amount of methotrexate than that using chitosan as a binder (p<0.05). The elution of both composites showed favourable cytotoxicity when the concentration was greater than 5 microg/ml.
Conclusion:
Methotrexate-impregnated hydroxyapatite composites appear to be effective local skeletal methotrexate delivery systems against human mammary carcinoma cells in an in vitro model.
