Biomimetics and its relationship with lung cancer

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