Chapters authored
Use of Biomaterials and Biomolecules for the Prevention of Restenosis
Coronary balloon angioplasty and coronary stenting are the procedures used in healing coronary artery disease. However, injury of arteries during angioplasty and stenting causes cell stimulations in tissue. Cell movement and thrombosis lead to re-narrowing of widened vessel called restenosis. Several new types of carriers and technology have been developed to suppress and/or prevent restenosis via prevention of migration/proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The conventional approaches are not fully effective for inhibiting restenosis. In order to eliminate such problems, stent-based delivery methods are developed to replace traditional vascular approaches. A series of materials have been improved for controlled delivery/release of genes, miRNAs, peptide structures, siRNAs, miRNAs, and antisense molecules to the target tissue. Agents to be delivered are either attached to the materials or entrapped in polymeric structure. In particular, biodegradable polymers have held great interests in drug delivery for targeting or prolonging implantable drug release. This chapter summarizes the molecular mechanisms of in-stent restenosis, the role of SMCs and endothelial cells in restenosis, and recent researches about the polymeric materials featured in drug/gene carrier systems, nanovehicles, and stent coating materials to prevent restenosis.
Part of the book: Muscle Cell and Tissue
Immune System Modulations in Cancer Treatment: Nanoparticles in Immunotherapy
Cancer immunotherapy is based on the idea of overcoming the main problems in the traditional cancer treatments and enhancing the patient’s long-term survival and quality of life. Immunotherapy methods aimed to influence the immune system, to detect and eradicate the tumors site and predict the potential results. Nowadays, nanomaterials-based immunotherapy approaches are gaining interest due to numerous advantages like their ability to target cells and tissues directly and reduce the off-target toxicity. Therefore, topics about immune system components, nanomaterials, their usage in immunotherapy and the benefits they provide will be discussed in this presented book chapter. Immunotherapy can be divided into two groups mainly; active and passive immunotherapy including their subtitles such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive immunotherapy, CAR-T therapies, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. Main classification and the methods will be evaluated. Furthermore, state-of-art nanocarriers based immunotherapy methods will be mentioned in detail. The terms of size, charge, material type and surface modifications of the nanoparticles will be reviewed to understand the interference of immune system and nanoparticles and their advantages/disadvantages in immunotherapy systems.
Part of the book: Cell Interaction