Rapid anti-tumor effects of gelatin sponge/nano-β-TCP construct on SKOV-3 human ovarian cancer cells in vitro

Abstract

Nanosized β-tricalcium phosphate (nano-β-TCP) particles were synthesized and characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. A surface coating was used to fabricate a medical absorbable gelatin sponge (GS) with nano-β-TCP biocomposite (GSN). The nano-β-TCP particles were ~150 nm in diameter and GSN was highly porous with pore diameter of ~200 μm. Modification via nano-β-TCP coating endowed the biocomposite with actual inhibitory effects on human ovarian cancer SKOV-3 cells. The systematic in vitro evaluations including ultrastructural observation, MTT assay, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis detection, and assessment of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression data confirm that rapid internalization of nano-β-TCP, cell growth inhibition, G1/S phase cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and suppression of PCNA expression play important roles in the rapid anti-tumor effects of GNS on SKOV-3 cells. Currently, in vitro and in vivo research work are in progress, including special anti-neoplastic drug delivery and synergistic effects of GSN and chemotherapeutic agents.