Biomimetics and its relationship
with lung cancer
Bioinspiration is the
creative approach that studies nature through the observation of biological
systems and leads to the development of innovative technologies. Biomimetics is
a branch of bioinspiration. This branch is aimed at solving problems through
the analysis of biological networks, whereby models are used and put into
practice to achieve a solution (Fayemi et al. 2017).
Biomimetics is
classified by two terms, solution-based or problem-based processes. Both with
different starting points and characteristics. In the article below, the
biomimetic development process is based on the problem, which is in fact, lung
cancer (Fayemi et al. 2017).
Cancer, in general,
has endured as a global threat over the years, being the second most common
cause of death (Li et al. 2018). Currently, many methods are used to deal with
cancer, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical intervention. However, these
treatments continue to fail to some extent, due to the side effects they
present. The damage to healthy tissue, as well as the inefficiency of dealing
with the disease, give rise to poor therapeutic results (Vijayan, Uthaman,
Park, 2018).
How can a product be
modeled, based on the principles of the biomimetic strategy, that can fight the
body's tumor cells, as well as giving signs of cancer cell formation at early
stages?
In recent decades,
scientists have studied and developed a system of nanoparticles dedicated to
delivering medicine to a certain region of the body. Said nanoparticles have
the advantages of being able to be flexibly modified, loaded with a
considerable amount of anti-cancer drugs and have adjustable physicochemical
properties; that contribute to destabilize and finally eradicate the pathogen.
However, the inconveniences were not long in coming. The main setback that
limited these nanoparticles to match clinical requirements was the rejection of
the substance by the body's own immune system. The cancer cells remained
unaffected since the drug that was administered to combat it, was phagocytized
by the immune cells since the system did not recognize the substance. (Li et
al. 2018)
Consequently, the
implementation of biomimetics in such research arose. A new prototype of
nanoparticles is designed that have cell membranes responsible for concealing
the entry of the nanoparticle into the body, and in this way can attack the
tumor cell without the immune system consuming it (Li et al. 2018).
CMNPs (cell membrane
nanoparticles) may be composed of different materials that vary depending on
the type of substance they will carry along the bloodstream. The nuclei are
made up of organic materials (based on polymers, gelatin, liposomes) or
inorganic materials (silica gel and even magnetic). The nuclei are encapsulated
with infrared dye (fluorescent proteins, organic dyes, semiconductor
nanocrystals) to indicate the presence of cancer cells or with a drug that will
fight the tumor already established (doxorubicin) (Rao et al. 2016). Also, the
nanoparticle is covered by blood and immune cell membranes such as erythrocytes
(most common), leukocytes, macrophages, platelets, among others. There are
cases where, ironically, cancer cell membranes are used to carry out the
process. The type of cell utilized will depend on the indicated use of the
nanoparticle, as will the nucleus. (Vijayan, Uthaman, Park, 2018).
CMNPs have
demonstrated the potential to significantly improve cancer therapy. These enjoy
unique functions provided by the varied materials that make up the core and the
membrane. The nanoparticles are not limited only to the previously mentioned
membrane types; Stem cells, bacterial cells and other biological compounds are
in development to provide a wider margin to fight cancer (Li et al. 2018)
The CMNP is capable
of having the characteristics of an autogenous cell, preventing its elimination
by the immune system and prolonging its circulation time in the bloodstream;
fundamental factors when dealing with a tumor.
With this new
technology, timely detection of an incidence of lung cancer will be more
common. Likewise, with the CMNPs, the approach to eradicating tumor cells will
be more precise and effective compared to traditional methods. The emergence of
biomimetic designs and nanomedicine have changed the paradigm with which cancer
will be treated.
Bibliography:
• Li, R., He, Y.,
Zhang, S., Qin, J., & Wang, J. (2018). Cell membrane-based nanoparticles: a
new biomimetic platform for tumor diagnosis and treatment. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, 8 (1), 14-22.
• Vijayan, V., Uthaman, S., & Park, I. K. (2018). Cell
Membrane-Camouflaged Nanoparticles: A Promising Biomimetic Strategy for Cancer
Theragnostics. Polymers, 10 (9), 983.
• Rao, L., He, Z.,
Meng, Q.-F., Zhou, Z., Bu, L.-L., Guo, S.-S.,… Zhao, X.-Z. (2016). Effective
cancer targeting and imaging using macrophage membrane-camouflaged upconversion
nanoparticles. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 105 (2), 521-530.
doi: 10.1002 / jbm.a.35927
