Nanohydroxyapatite-Stabilized Pickering-Emulsion-Incorporated Hydrogel Prevents Postoperative Osteosarcoma Recurrence...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Oncology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive bone cancer with limited treatment options.
• Current therapies for OS often result in poor patient outcomes.
• There is a critical need for innovative therapeutic strategies for OS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel injectable hydrogel system for localized delivery of a receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand inhibitor.
• To assess the system's efficacy in inhibiting osteosarcoma cell growth and migration.
• To investigate the potential of the hydrogel system for tumor suppression and bone regeneration in vivo.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of an injectable hydrogel incorporating nanohydroxyapatite (nHAP)-stabilized Pickering emulsions.
• In vitro assessment using osteosarcoma cell lines (viability, apoptosis, migration assays).
• In vivo evaluation in a murine critical-sized skull defect model to assess tumor suppression and bone regeneration.

Main Results:

• The hydrogel system significantly induced apoptosis and inhibited migration in osteosarcoma cells.
• In vivo studies showed significant inhibition of tumor growth and reduced tumor volume.
• The system promoted new bone formation in the skull defect, indicating regenerative potential.

Conclusions:

• The developed hydrogel system demonstrates potent antitumor activity against osteosarcoma.
• The system effectively promotes bone regeneration, offering a dual therapeutic approach.
• This integrated strategy holds promise for improving osteosarcoma treatment outcomes.