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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Synthesis of Graphene-Hydroxyapatite Nanocomposites for Potential Use in Bone Tissue Engineering
Published on: July 27, 2022
Application of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in tumor-associated bone segmental defect
Kun Zhang1, Yong Zhou2, Cong Xiao2
1National Engineering Research Center for Biomaterials, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610064, China.
Abstract:
Hydroxyapatite (HA) has been widely applied in bone repair because of its superior biocompatibility. Recently, a proliferation-suppressive effect of HA nanoparticles (n-HA) against various cancer cells was reported. This study was aimed at assessing the translational value of n-HA both as a bone-regenerating material and as an antitumor agent. Inhibition of tumor growth, prevention of metastasis, and enhancement of the survival rate of tumor-bearing rabbits treated with n-HA were demonstrated. Activated mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in vivo was confirmed, and we observed that a stimulated immune response was involved in the n-HA-induced antitumor effect. A porous titanium scaffold loaded with n-HA was fabricated and implanted into a critical-sized segmental bone defect in a rabbit tumor model. The n-HA-releasing scaffold not only showed a prominent effect in suppressing tumor growth and osteolytic lesion but also promoted bone regeneration. These findings provide a rationale for using n-HA in tumor-associated bone segmental defects.
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