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Genetic research

Novel Hydrogel Beads Show Promise in Inducing Apoptosis in Cancer Cells

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers from Iran University for Medical Sciences have developed smart DNA-aptamer-chitosan-starch hydrogel beads that can induce apoptosis in cancer cells. According to a study published in Polymers for Advanced Technologies, the hydrogel beads demonstrated a controlled drug release manner and induced significant apoptosis in MCF-7, HCT116, and SKOV3 cancer cells. The research has potential implications for the development of new cancer therapies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The researchers fabricated DNA-aptamer-chitosan-starch hydrogel beads for inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest on MCF-7, HCT116, and SKOV3 cancer cells.
  • The hydrogel beads were characterized through analytical devices including FT-IR, XRD, DLS, and FE-SEM, showing a diameter of 750 nm and a surface charge of 86.4 mV.
  • The beads demonstrated a controlled drug release manner at pH 7.4, with about 50% drug release after 40 h, which was more sustained than drug release at pH 5.0.
  • Apoptosis values were dropped to 13.78%, 16.24%, and 8.8% compared to control for MCF-7, HCT116, and SKOV3 cells, respectively, after treatment with drug-loaded nanogel.
  • Cell cycle arrest assay results indicated remarkable apoptosis-inducing amounts, 2 folds, 8 folds, and 3 folds compared with control after treatment with drug-loaded nanogel in MCF-7, HCT116, and SKOV3 cells, respectively.

Statistics:

  • 50% drug release after 40 h at pH 7.4
  • 13.78% apoptosis in MCF-7 cells after treatment with drug-loaded nanogel
  • 16.24% apoptosis in HCT116 cells after treatment with drug-loaded nanogel
  • 8.8% apoptosis in SKOV3 cells after treatment with drug-loaded nanogel
  • 2-fold, 8-fold, and 3-fold increases in apoptosis-inducing amounts in MCF-7, HCT116, and SKOV3 cells, respectively, after treatment with drug-loaded nanogel

Sources:

  • NewsRx LLC (2025). Data on Apoptosis Reported by Researchers at Iran University for Medical Sciences (Development of Smart Dna-aptamer-chitosan-starch Hydrogel Beads for Inducing of Apoptosis In Cancer Cells). Cancer Weekly. August 5, 2025; p 852.
  • Mohammadi Kenari, H., et al. (2025). Development of Smart Dna-aptamer-chitosan-starch Hydrogel Beads for Inducing of Apoptosis In Cancer Cells. Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 36(7).

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