Development of NGR-GelMA Hydrogels for PC3 Prostate Cancer Cells

Abstract

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancer type for men. Current therapies such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy non-spesifically affect cancerous cells. Current therapies need more targeted delivery approaches such as peptide. Asn-Gly-Arg (NGR) is a tool for cancer targeting therapy. To mimic more natural cancer microenvironment, peptide treatment approaches are examined in 3 Dimensional (D) hydrogels. GelMA is one of the hydrogels that permits to construct 3D microenvironment of PC3 prostate cancer cells. The goal of the study was to evaluate characteristic of GelMA to model prostate cancer environment and to determine the effects of NGR peptides for PC3 line. Measurement of pH values of GelMA in different NGR peptide concentration were conducted (1 µM, 10 µM and 100 µM) were measured. To analyze biodegradation capacity of GelMA in different NGR peptide concentration, weigth measurements were performed. Live and Dead analysis was performed on days 1, 4, and 7. The experimental findings revealed that GelMA hydrogels created a relatively stable and neutral pH environment, making them potentially valuable for drug delivery systems. Furthermore, the GelMA hydrogels incorporated with NGR exhibited the capacity to absorb liquids, resulting in an increase in weight. Notably, these hydrogels allowed for the observation of the dynamic 3D microenvironment of prostate cancer, which was influenced by the concentration of the targeted drug in the GelMA matrix. This suggests promising implications for developing targeted therapies for prostate cancer using GelMA-based drug delivery systems. As a conclusion, GelMA and GelMA including NGR peptide may be useful platform for further studies to progress on prostate cancer treatment.