Calcium ion delivery by microbubble-assisted sonoporation stimulates cell death in human gastrointestinal cancer cells.

Ultrasound-mediated cell membrane permeabilization - sonoporation, enhances drug delivery directly to tumor sites while reducing systemic side effects. The potential of ultrasound to augment intracellular calcium uptake - a critical regulator of cell death and proliferation - offers innovative alternative to conventional chemotherapy. However, calcium therapeutic applications remain underexplored in sonoporation studies. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of calcium sonoporation (CaSP), which combines ultrasound treatment with calcium ions and SonoVue microbubbles, on gastrointestinal cancer cells LoVo and HPAF-II. Initially, optimal sonoporation parameters were determined: an acoustic wave of 1 MHz frequency with a 50 % duty cycle at intensity of 2 W/cm2. Subsequently, various cellular bioeffects, such as viability, oxidative stress, metabolism, mitochondrial function, proliferation, and cell death, were assessed following CaSP treatment. CaSP significantly impaired cancer cell function by inducing oxidative and metabolic stress, evidenced by increased mitochondrial depolarization, decreased ATP levels, and elevated glucose uptake in a Ca2+ dose-dependent manner, leading to activation of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Cellular response to CaSP depended on the TP53 gene's mutational status: colon cancer cells were more susceptible to CaSP-induced apoptosis and G1 phase cell cycle arrest, whereas pancreatic cancer cells showed a higher necrotic response and G2 cell cycle arrest. These promising results encourage future research to optimize sonoporation parameters for clinical use, investigate synergistic effects with existing treatments, and assess long-term safety and efficacy in vivo. Our study highlights CaSP's clinical potential for improved safety and efficacy in cancer therapy, offering significant implications for the pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.

Cellular and Molecular Effects of Magnetic Fields.

Recently, magnetic fields (MFs) have received major attention due to their potential therapeutic applications and biological effects. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the cellular and molecular impacts of MFs, with a focus on both in vitro and in vivo studies. We investigate the mechanisms by which MFs influence cell behavior, including modifications in gene expression, protein synthesis, and cellular signaling pathways. The interaction of MFs with cellular components such as ion channels, membranes, and the cytoskeleton is analyzed, along with their effects on cellular processes like proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Molecular insights are offered into how MFs modulate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, which are pivotal in various pathological conditions. Furthermore, we explore the therapeutic potential of MFs in regenerative medicine, cancer treatment, and neurodegenerative diseases. By synthesizing current findings, this article aims to elucidate the complex bioeffects of MFs, thereby facilitating their optimized application in medical and biotechnological fields.

Cubosomes and hexosomes stabilized by sorbitan monooleate as biocompatible nanoplatforms against skin metastatic human melanoma.

Nanoparticles have become versatile assets in the medical field, providing notable benefits across diverse medical arenas including controlled drug delivery, imaging, and immunological assays. Among these, non-lamellar lipid nanoparticles, notably cubosomes and hexosomes, showcase remarkable biocompatibility and stability, rendering them as optimal choices for theranostic applications. Particularly, incorporating edge activators like sodium taurocholate enhances the potential of these nanoparticles for dermal and transdermal drug delivery, overcoming the stratum corneum, a first line of defense in our skin. This study reports on the formulation of monoolein-based cubosomes and hexosomes incorporating taurocholate and stabilized by Span 80 and co-encapsulating Chlorin e6 and coenzyme QH for photodynamic therapy in skin metastatic melanoma. The formulations were optimized using small-angle X-ray scattering, and cryo-transmission electron microscopy confirmed the presence of cubosomes or hexosomes, depending on the ratio between taurocholate and Span 80. Furthermore, the co-loaded nanoparticles exhibited high encapsulation efficiencies for both Ce6 and the coenzyme QH. In vitro studies on human melanoma cells (Me45) demonstrated the biocompatibility and photodynamic activity of the loaded formulations. These findings show the possibility of formulating more biocompatible cubosomes and hexosomes for photodynamic therapy in skin cancer treatment.

Cardiomyocytes Permeabilization and Electrotransfection by Unipolar and Bipolar Asymmetric Electric Field Pulses.

Short electric field pulses represent a novel potential approach for achieving uniform electroporation within tissue containing elongated cells oriented in various directions, such as electroporation-based cardiac ablation procedures. In this study, we investigated how electroporation with nanosecond pulses with respect to different pulse shapes (unipolar, bipolar, and asymmetric) influences cardiomyocyte permeabilization and gene transfer. For this purpose, rat cardiomyocytes (H9c2) were used. The efficacy of the pulsed electric field protocols was assessed by flow cytometry and electrogene transfer by fluorescent and holotomographic microscopy. The response of the cells was assessed by the metabolic activity (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay), F-actin distribution in cells by confocal microscopy, and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) marker. We show nano- and microsecond pulse protocols, which are not cytotoxic for cardiac muscle cells and can be efficiently used for gene electrotransfection. Asymmetric nanosecond pulsed electric fields were similarly efficient in plasmid delivery as microsecond and millisecond protocols. However, the millisecond protocol induced a higher MAFbx expression in H9c2 cells.

Dendrimer Platforms for Targeted Doxorubicin Delivery-Physicochemical Properties in Context of Biological Responses.

The unique structure of G4.0 PAMAM dendrimers allows a drug to be enclosed in internal spaces or immobilized on the surface. In the conducted research, the conditions for the formation of the active G4.0 PAMAM complex with doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) were optimized. The physicochemical properties of the system were monitored using dynamic light scattering (DLS), circular dichroism (CD), and fluorescence spectroscopy. The Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation Monitoring (QCM-D) method was chosen to determine the preferential conditions for the complex formation. The highest binding efficiency of the drug to the cationic dendrimer was observed under basic conditions when the DOX molecule was deprotonated. The decrease in the zeta potential of the complex confirms that DOX immobilizes through electrostatic interaction with the carrier's surface amine groups. The binding constants were determined from the fluorescence quenching of the DOX molecule in the presence of G4.0 PAMAM. The two-fold way of binding doxorubicin in the structure of dendrimers was visible in the Isothermal calorimetry (ITC) isotherm. Fluorescence spectra and release curves identified the reversible binding of DOX to the nanocarrier. Among the selected cancer cells, the most promising anticancer activity of the G4.0-DOX complex was observed in A375 malignant melanoma cells. Moreover, the preferred intracellular location of the complexes concerning the free drug was found, which is essential from a therapeutic point of view.

Effects of buffer composition and plasmid toxicity on electroporation-based non-viral gene delivery in mammalian cells using bursts of nanosecond and microsecond pulses.

Gene electrotransfer (GET) is non-viral gene delivery technique, also known as electroporation-mediated gene delivery or electrotransfection. GET is a method used to introduce foreign genetic material (such as DNA or RNA) into cells by applying external pulsed electric fields (PEFs) to create temporary pores in the cell membrane. This study was undertaken to examine the impact of buffer composition on the efficiency of GET in mammalian cells Also, we specifically compared the effectiveness of high-frequency nanosecond (ns) pulses with standard microsecond (µs) pulses. For the assessment of cell transfection efficiency and viability, flow cytometric analysis, luminescent assays, and measurements of metabolic activity were conducted. The efficiency of electrotransfection was evaluated using two different proteins encoding plasmids (pEGFP-N1 and Luciferase-pcDNA3). The investigation revealed that the composition of the electroporation buffer significantly influences the efficacy of GET in CHO-K1 cell line. The different susceptibility of cell lines to the electric field and the plasmid cytotoxicity were reported. It was also shown that electroporation with nanosecond duration PEF protocols ensured equivalent or even better transfection efficiency than standard µsPEF. Additionally, we successfully performed long-term transfection of the murine 4T1 cell line using high-frequency nanosecond PEFs and confirmed its' applicability in an in vivo model. The findings from the study can be applied to optimize electrotransfection conditions.

The Immune Response of Cancer Cells in Breast and Gynecologic Neoplasms.

Cancer diseases constitute a major health problem which leads to the death of millions of people annually. They are unique among other diseases because cancer cells can perfectly adapt to the environment that they create themselves. This environment is usually highly hostile and for normal cells it would be hugely difficult to survive, however neoplastic cells not only can survive but also manage to proliferate. One of the reasons is that they can alter immunological pathways which allow them to be flexible and change their phenotype to the one needed in specific conditions. The aim of this paper is to describe some of these immunological pathways that play significant roles in gynecologic neoplasms as well as review recent research in this field. It is of high importance to possess extensive knowledge about these processes, as greater understanding leads to creating more specialized therapies which may prove highly effective in the future.

Pregnancy, abortion, and birth control methods' complicity with breast cancer occurrence.

Reproductive factors play significantly important roles in determining the breast cancer (BC) risk. The impact of pregnancy, abortion, and birth control methods on tumor development remains unclear. It has been found that early full-term pregnancies in young women can lower their lifetime risk of developing the type of cancer in question. However, having a first full-term pregnancy at an older age can increase this risk. The relationship between pregnancy and breast cancer (BC) is, however, much more complicated. Both induced and spontaneous abortions lead to sudden changes in hormonal balance, which could cause different effects on sensitive breast epithelial cells, making abortion a potential risk factor for breast cancer. The influence of hormonal contraception on carcinogenesis is not comprehensively understood, and therefore, more exhaustive analysis of existing data and further investigation is needed. This review explores how the mentioned reproductive factors affect the risk of breast cancer (BC), focusing on the molecular mechanisms that contribute to its complexity. By comprehending this intricate network of relationships, we can develop new strategies for predicting and treating the disease.

The Antagonistic and Synergistic Role of Fe3+ Compounds in Chemo- and Electrochemotherapy in Human Colon Cancer In Vitro.

Colon cancer (CC) management includes surgery, radio- and chemotherapy based on treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or its derivatives. However, its application is limited to low-grade carcinomas. Thus, much research has been conducted to introduce new techniques and drugs to the therapy. CC mostly affects older people suffering from cardiac diseases, where iron compounds are commonly used. Ferric citrate and iron (III)-EDTA complexes have proven to be effective in colon cancer in vitro. This study aimed to determine the potency and action of iron-containing compounds in colon cancer treatment by chemo- and electrochemotherapy in both nano- and microsecond protocols. The viability of the cells was assessed after standalone iron (III) citrate and iron (III)-EDTA incubation. Both compounds were also assessed with 5-FU to determine the combination index. Additionally, frataxin expression was taken as the quantitative response to the exposition of iron compounds. Each of the substances exhibited a cytotoxic effect on the LoVo cell line. Electroporation with standalone drugs revealed the potency of 5-FU and iron(III)-EDTA in CC treatment. The combination of 5-FU with iron(III)-EDTA acted synergistically, increasing the viability of the cells in the nanosecond electrochemotherapy protocol. Iron(III)-EDTA decreased the frataxin expression, thus inducing ferroptosis. Iron(III) citrate induced the progression of cancer; therefore, it should not be considered as a potential therapeutic option. The relatively low stability of iron(III) citrate leads to the delivery of citrate anions to cancer cells, which could increase the Krebs cycle rate and promote progression.

Superior Drug Delivery Performance of Multifunctional Bilosomes: Innovative Strategy to Kill Skin Cancer Cells for Nanomedicine Application.

Purpose: Numerous failures in melanoma treatment as a highly aggressive form of skin cancer with an unfavorable prognosis and excessive resistance to conventional therapies are prompting an urgent search for more effective therapeutic tools. Consequently, to increase the treatment efficiency and to reduce the side effects of traditional administration ways, herein, it has become crucial to combine photodynamic therapy as a promising therapeutic approach with the selectivity and biocompatibility of a novel colloidal transdermal nanoplatform for effective delivery of hybrid cargo with synergistic effects on melanoma cells. Methods: The self-assembled bilosomes, co-stabilized with L-α-phosphatidylcholine, sodium cholate, Pluronic® P123, and cholesterol, were designated, and the stability of colloidal vesicles was studied using dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering, also provided in cell culture medium (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium). The hybrid compounds - a classical photosensitizer (Methylene Blue) along with a complementary natural polyphenolic agent (curcumin), were successfully co-loaded, as confirmed by UV-Vis, ATR-FTIR, and fluorescent spectroscopies. The biocompatibility and usefulness of the polymer functionalized bilosome with loaded double cargo were demonstrated in vitro cyto- and phototoxicity experiments using normal keratinocytes and melanoma cancer cells. Results: The in vitro bioimaging and immunofluorescence study upon human skin epithelial (A375) and malignant (Me45) melanoma cell lines established the protective effect of the PEGylated bilosome surface. This effect was confirmed in cytotoxicity experiments, also determined on human cutaneous (HaCaT) keratinocytes. The flow cytometry experiments indicated the enhanced uptake of the encapsulated hybrid cargo compared to the non-loaded MB and CUR molecules, as well as a selectivity of the obtained nanocarriers upon tumor cell lines. The phyto-photodynamic action provided 24h-post irradiation revealed a more significant influence of the nanoplatform on Me45 cells in contrast to the A375 cell line, causing the cell viability rate below 20% of the control. Conclusion: As a result, we established an innovative and effective strategy for potential metastatic melanoma treatment through the synergism of phyto-photodynamic therapy and novel bilosomal-origin nanophotosensitizers.

Pulsed electric field induces exocytosis and overexpression of MAGE antigens in melanoma.

Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) has emerged as a promising approach for inducing cell death in melanoma, either as a standalone treatment or in combination with chemotherapeutics. However, to date, there has been a shortage of studies exploring the impact of nsPEF on the expression of cancer-specific molecules. In this investigation, we sought to assess the effects of nsPEF on melanoma-specific MAGE (Melanoma Antigen Gene Protein Family) expression. To achieve this, melanoma cells were exposed to nsPEF with parameters set at 8 kV/cm, 200 ns duration, 100 pulses, and a frequency of 10 kHz. We also aimed to comprehensively describe the consequences of this electric field on melanoma cells' invasion and proliferation potential. Our findings reveal that following exposure to nsPEF, melanoma cells release microvesicles containing MAGE antigens, leading to a simultaneous increase in the expression and mRNA content of membrane-associated antigens such as MAGE-A1. Notably, we observed an unexpected increase in the expression of PD-1 as well. While we did not observe significant differences in the cells' proliferation or invasion potential, a remarkable alteration in the cells' metabolomic and lipidomic profiles towards a less aggressive phenotype was evident. Furthermore, we validated these results using ex vivo tissue cultures and 3D melanoma culture models. Our study demonstrates that nsPEF can elevate the expression of membrane-associated proteins, including melanoma-specific antigens. The mechanism underlying the overexpression of MAGE antigens involves the initial release of microvesicles containing MAGE antigens, followed by a gradual increase in mRNA levels, ultimately resulting in elevated expression of MAGE antigens post-experiment. These findings shed light on a novel method for modulating cancer cells to overexpress cancer-specific molecules, thereby potentially enhancing their sensitivity to targeted anticancer therapy.

Heat Shock Proteins, a Double-Edged Sword: Significance in Cancer Progression, Chemotherapy Resistance and Novel Therapeutic Perspectives.

Heat shock proteins (Hsps) are involved in one of the adaptive mechanisms protecting cells against environmental and metabolic stress. Moreover, the large role of these proteins in the carcinogenesis process, as well as in chemoresistance, was noticed. This review aims to draw attention to the possibilities of using Hsps in developing new cancer therapy methods, as well as to indicate directions for future research on this topic. In order to discuss this matter, a thorough review of the latest scientific literature was carried out, taking into account the importance of selected proteins from the Hsp family, including Hsp27, Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90 and Hsp110. One of the more characteristic features of all Hsps is that they play a multifaceted role in cancer progression, which makes them an obvious target for modern anticancer therapy. Some researchers emphasize the importance of directly inhibiting the action of these proteins. In turn, others point to their possible use in the design of cancer vaccines, which would work by inducing an immune response in various types of cancer. Due to these possibilities, it is believed that the use of Hsps may contribute to the progress of oncoimmunology, and thus help in the development of modern anticancer therapies, which would be characterized by higher effectiveness and lower toxicity to the patients.

Electrochemotherapy for head and neck cancers: possibilities and limitations.

Head and neck cancer continues to be among the most prevalent types of cancer globally, yet it can be managed with appropriate treatment approaches. Presently, chemotherapy and radiotherapy stand as the primary treatment modalities for various groups and regions affected by head and neck cancer. Nonetheless, these treatments are linked to adverse side effects in patients. Moreover, due to tumor resistance to multiple drugs (both intrinsic and extrinsic) and radiotherapy, along with numerous other factors, recurrences or metastases often occur. Electrochemotherapy (ECT) emerges as a clinically proven alternative that offers high efficacy, localized effect, and diminished negative factors. Electrochemotherapy involves the treatment of solid tumors by combining a non-permeable cytotoxic drug, such as bleomycin, with a locally administered pulsed electric field (PEF). It is crucial to employ this method effectively by utilizing optimal PEF protocols and drugs at concentrations that do not possess inherent cytotoxic properties. This review emphasizes an examination of diverse clinical practices of ECT concerning head and neck cancer. It specifically delves into the treatment procedure, the choice of anti-cancer drugs, pre-treatment planning, PEF protocols, and electroporation electrodes as well as the efficacy of tumor response to the treatment and encountered obstacles. We have also highlighted the significance of assessing the spatial electric field distribution in both tumor and adjacent tissues prior to treatment as it plays a pivotal role in determining treatment success. Finally, we compare the ECT methodology to conventional treatments to highlight the potential for improvement and to facilitate popularization of the technique in the area of head and neck cancers where it is not widespread yet while it is not the case with other cancer types.

Natural Compounds in Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Prevention and Treatment.

The elevated occurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and the adverse effects associated with available treatments adversely impact the quality of life in multiple dimensions. In connection with this, there is a necessity for alternative approaches characterized by increased tolerance and lower side effects. Natural compounds could be employed due to their safety profile and effectiveness for inflammatory and neoplastic skin diseases. These anti-cancer drugs are often derived from natural sources such as marine, zoonotic, and botanical origins. Natural compounds should exhibit anti-carcinogenic actions through various pathways, influencing apoptosis potentiation, cell proliferation inhibition, and metastasis suppression. This review provides an overview of natural compounds used in cancer chemotherapies, chemoprevention, and promotion of skin regeneration, including polyphenolic compounds, flavonoids, vitamins, alkaloids, terpenoids, isothiocyanates, cannabinoids, carotenoids, and ceramides.

Application of Luteolin in Neoplasms and Nonneoplastic Diseases.

Researchers are amazed at the multitude of biological effects of 3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone, more commonly known as luteolin, as it simultaneously has antioxidant and pro-oxidant, as well as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cancer-preventive, properties. The anticancer properties of luteolin constitute a mosaic of pathways due to which this flavonoid influences cancer cells. Not only is it able to induce apoptosis and inhibit cancer cell proliferation, but it also suppresses angiogenesis and metastasis. Moreover, luteolin succeeds in cancer cell sensitization to therapeutically induced cytotoxicity. Nevertheless, apart from its promising role in chemoprevention, luteolin exhibits numerous potential utilizations in patients with conditions other than neoplasms, which include inflammatory skin diseases, diabetes mellitus, and COVID-19. This review aims to present the multidimensionality of the luteolin's impact on both neoplastic and nonneoplastic diseases. When it comes to neoplasms, we intend to describe the complexity of the molecular mechanisms that underlay luteolin's anticancer effectiveness, as well as to prove the usefulness of integrating this flavonoid in cancer therapy via the analysis of recent research on breast, colon, and lung cancer. Regarding nonneoplastic diseases, this review aims to emphasize the importance of researching the potential of luteolin in areas such as diabetology, virology, and dermatology as it summarizes the most important discoveries in those fields regarding its application.

Negative effects of cancellation during nanosecond range High-Frequency calcium based electrochemotherapy in vitro.

Drug delivery using nanosecond pulsed electric fields is a new branch of electroporation-based treatments, which potentially can substitute European standard operating procedures for electrochemotherapy. In this work, for the first time, we characterize the effects of ultra-fast repetition frequency (1-2.5 MHz) nanosecond pulses (5-9 kV/cm, 200 and 400 ns) in the context of nano-electrochemotherapy with calcium. Additionally, we investigate the feasibility of bipolar symmetric (↑200 ns + ↓200 ns) and asymmetric (↑200 ns + ↓400 ns) nanosecond protocols for calcium delivery. The effects of bipolar cancellation and the influence of interphase delay (200 ns) are overviewed. Human lung cancer cell lines A549 and H69AR were used as a model. It was shown that unipolar pulses delivered at high frequency are effective for electrochemotherapy with a significant improvement in efficiency when the delay between separate pulses is reduced. Bipolar symmetric pulses trigger the cancellation phenomenon limiting applications for drug delivery and can be compensated by the asymmetry of the pulse (↑200 ns + ↓400 ns or ↑400 ns + ↓200 ns). The results of this study can be successfully used to derive a new generation of nsPEF protocols for successful electrochemotherapy treatments.

Susceptibility of various human cancer cell lines to nanosecond and microsecond range electrochemotherapy: Feasibility of multi-drug cocktails.

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) involves combining anticancer drugs with electroporation, which is induced by pulsed electric fields (PEFs), while the effects vary in effectiveness based on the specific parameters of the electrical pulses and susceptibility of the cells to a specific drug. In this work, we utilized conventional microsecond electroporation protocols (0.8 - 1.5 kV/cm × 100 µs × 8, 1 Hz) and the new modality of nanosecond pulses (4 and 8 kV/cm × 500 ns × 100, 1 kHz and 1 MHz), which are compressed into a high frequency burst. Sensitive and resistant lung, breast and ovarian human cancer cell lines were used in the study. In order to overcome drug-resistance, we have investigated the feasibility to use anticancer drug cocktails i.e., bleomycin and cisplatin combinations with metformin, vinorelbine and Dp44mT. The different susceptibility of various human cancer cells lines to electric pulses was determined, the efficacy of ECT was characterized and the type of cell death depending on the combinations of drugs was investigated. The results indicate that synergistic effects of PEFs with drug cocktails may be used to overcome drug-resistance in cancer, while the application of nsPEF provides more flexibility in parametric protocols and modulation of cancer cell death.

Effects of Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field on Immune Checkpoint Receptors in Melanoma Cells.

Checkpoint molecules such as PD-1, LAG-3, and TIM-3 are currently under extensive investigation for their roles in the attenuation of the immune response in cancer. Various methods have been applied to overcome the challenges in this field. This study investigated the effects of nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) treatment on the expression of immune checkpoint molecules in A375 and C32 melanoma cells. The researchers found that the nsPEF treatment was able to enhance membrane permeabilization and morphological changes in the cell membrane without being cytotoxic. We found that the effects of nsPEFs on melanoma included (1) the transport of vesicles from the inside to the outside of the cells, (2) cell contraction, and (3) the migration of lipids from inside the cells to their peripheries. The treatment increased the expression of PD-1 checkpoint receptors. Furthermore, we also observed potential co-localization or clustering of MHC class II and PD-1 molecules on the cell surface and the secretion of cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6. These findings suggest that nsPEF treatment could be a viable approach to enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents to cancer cells and to modulate the tumor microenvironment to promote an antitumor immune response. Further studies are needed to explore the mechanisms underlying these effects and their impacts on the antitumor immune response, and to investigate the potential of nsPEF treatment in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors to improve clinical outcomes for cancer patients.

Alternations of NF-κB Signaling by Natural Compounds in Muscle-Derived Cancers.

The NF-κB-signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cancer progression, including muscle-derived cancers such as rhabdomyosarcoma or sarcoma. Several natural compounds have been studied for their ability to alter NF-κB signaling in these types of cancers. This review paper summarizes the current knowledge on the effects of natural compounds, including curcumin, resveratrol, quercetin, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and berberine, on NF-κB signaling in muscle-derived cancers. These compounds have been shown to inhibit NF-κB signaling in rhabdomyosarcoma cells through various mechanisms, such as inhibiting the activation of the IKK complex and the NF-κB transcription factor. These findings suggest that natural compounds could be potential therapeutic agents for muscle-derived cancers. However, further research is needed to fully understand their mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications.

3D bio-printed hydrogel inks promoting lung cancer cell growth in a lab-on-chip culturing platform.

The results of a lab-on-chip (LOC) platform fabrication equipped with a hydrogel matrix is reported. A 3D printing technique was used to provide a hybrid, "sandwiched" type structure, including two microfluidic substrates of different origins. Special attention was paid to achieving uniformly bio-printed microfluidic hydrogel layers of a unique composition. Six different hydrogel inks were proposed containing sodium alginate, agar, chitosan, gelatin, methylcellulose, deionized water, or 0.9% NaCl, varying in proportions. All of them exhibited appropriate mechanical properties showing, e.g., the value of elasticity modulus as similar to that of biological tissues, such as skin. Utilizing our biocompatible, entirely 3D bio-printed structure, for the first time, a multi-drug-resistant lung cancer cell line (H69AR) was cultured on-chip. Biological validation of the device was performed qualitatively and quantitatively utilizing LIVE/DEAD assays and Presto blue staining. Although all bio-inks exhibited acceptable cell viability, the best results were obtained for the hydrogel composition including 3% sodium alginate + 7% gelatin + 90% NaCl (0.9%), reaching approximately 127.2% after 24 h and 105.4% after 48 h compared to the control group (100%). Further research in this area will focus on the microfluidic culture of the chosen cancer cell line (H69AR) and the development of novel drug delivery strategies towards appropriate in vivo models for chemotherapy and polychemotherapy treatment.