Aston University Scientists Develop Gallium-Infused Glass Nanoparticles to Treat Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone cancer, primarily affecting children and young adults. It often develops due to mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53, which is responsible for regulating cell division and apoptosis. Without proper p53 function, cells can divide uncontrollably, leading to tumor formation. Current treatments, such as chemotherapy and surgical tumor removal, have shown limited success in preventing local recurrence, which drastically lowers survival rates.

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The Role of Glass in Biomedical Applications

Glass has long been used in biomedical applications due to its versatility and bioactivity. Bioactive glass can bond with bone tissue and stimulate new growth. Traditionally, it has been used for bone repair, where its degradation in body fluids releases biologically active ions like calcium and phosphorus, promoting bone regeneration. The ability to modify glass composition allows researchers to incorporate other elements like gallium, which adds therapeutic effects, particularly for cancer treatment. By using glass as a carrier for gallium ions, scientists can achieve localized drug delivery directly to the tumor site, increasing effectiveness while minimizing systemic toxicity.

Why Use Gallium in Glass Nanoparticles?

Gallium is known for its anticancer properties. It disrupts cancer cell replication by interfering with iron metabolism and damaging DNA. Importantly, gallium is more readily absorbed by cancer cells because of their elevated levels of transferrin receptors, which the cells use to acquire iron for rapid growth. By incorporating gallium into bioactive glass, researchers can create a highly targeted delivery system that preferentially affects cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This makes gallium an ideal candidate for treating osteosarcoma, as the nanoparticles target tumor cells while promoting the regeneration of surrounding bone tissue.

Study Overview: Gallium Glass Nanoparticles in Action

In this study, researchers synthesized gallium-doped bioactive glasses using the melt-quenched method. They developed glass nanoparticles with varying concentrations of gallium oxide (0–5 mol%) to test the effects on osteosarcoma cells (Saos-2) and normal human osteoblasts (NHOst). The glass was ground into fine powders with particle sizes between 40 and 63 microns and dissolved in simulated body fluid (SBF) to assess ion release and bioactivity.

The researchers employed in vitro models using Saos-2 osteosarcoma cells and NHOst cells to evaluate the cytotoxic effects. They performed MTT assays to measure cell viability and LIVE/DEAD assays to visualize cell death. The results showed a dose-dependent decrease in osteosarcoma cell viability. Glass containing 5 mol% gallium oxide killed over 99% of the cancer cells after 10 days, while having a minimal effect on healthy osteoblasts.

Additionally, the team conducted toxicity studies to ensure the glass's safety. Gallium concentrations were optimized to balance high cytotoxicity against cancer cells with low toxicity to healthy cells. At higher concentrations, gallium induced apoptosis in cancer cells by disrupting their mitochondrial pathways. These particles inhibited cancer cell migration and proliferation, as demonstrated by scratch wound assays. Over time, conditioned media from the gallium-doped glass effectively suppressed the migration of cancer cells into the wound area.