Annette Nicole Pietraru

Annette Nicole Pietraru

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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25 March 2023 in Gels
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
STShebin Tharakan
Shebin Tharakan
IRIman Raja
Iman Raja
APAnnette Nicole Pietraru
Annette Nicole Pietraru
ESElina Sarecha
Elina Sarecha
Andrei GresitaAndrei Gresita
Andrei Gresita
Michael HadjiargyrouMichael Hadjiargyrou
Michael Hadjiargyrou
Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor of bone that leads to poor mortality and morbidity. Management of this cancer through conventional methods involves invasive treatment options that place patients at an increased risk of adverse events. The use of hydrogels to target osteosarcoma has shown promising results both in vitro and in vivo to eradicate tumor cells while promoting bone regeneration. The loading of hydrogels with chemotherapeutic drugs provides a route for site-specific targeted therapy for osteosarcoma. Current studies demonstrate tumor regression in vivo and lysis of tumor cells in vitro when exposed to doped hydrogel scaffolds. Additionally, novel stimuli-responsive hydrogels are able to react with the tissue microenvironment to facilitate the controlled release of anti-tumor drugs and with biomechanical properties that can be modulated. This narrative review of the current literature discusses both in vitro and in vivo studies of different hydrogels, including stimuli-responsive, designed to treat bone osteosarcoma. Future applications to address patient treatment for this bone cancer are also discussed.