{"title":"Inference of Gene Regulatory Networks for Breast Cancer Based on Genetic Modules.","authors":"Yihao Chen, Ling Guo, Yue Pan, Hui Cai, Zhitong Bing","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0154","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0154","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> Breast cancer is a common tumor and has a high mortality rate. Gene regulatory networks(GRNs) can genetically facilitate targeted therapies for this disease. <b>Impact Statement:</b> This study proposes a new method to infer GRNs. This new method combining genetic modules and convolutional neural networks is presented to infer GRNs from the RNA sequencing data of breast cancer. <b>Introduction:</b> GRNs play an essential role in many disease treatments. Previous studies showed that GRNs will accelerate tumor therapy. However, most of the existing network inference methods are based on large-scale gene collections, which ignore the characteristics of different tumors. <b>Methods:</b> In this work, weighted gene coexpression network analysis was deployed to screen key genes and gene modules. The gene regulatory associations in gene modules were then transformed into 2-dimensional histogram types. A convolutional neural network was chosen as the main framework to fit the gene regulatory types and infer the GRN. <b>Results:</b> The method integrates genetic data analysis and deep learning perspectives to screen key genes and predict GRNs among key genes. The key genes screened were validated by multiple methods, and the inferred gene regulatory associations were widely validated in real datasets. <b>Conclusion:</b> The method can be used as an auxiliary tool with the potential to predict key genes and the GRNs of key genes. It has the potential to facilitate the therapeutic process and targeted therapy for breast cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0154"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12696699/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145758547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Decellularized Adipose Matrix Rejuvenates Photoaged Skin through Immune Microenvironment Modulation.","authors":"Jialiang Zhou, Shengjie Jiang, Liyun Wang, Kaili Lin, Jianyong Wu, Haijun Gui, Zhen Gao","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0166","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> This study aims to explore the therapeutic potential of decellularized adipose matrix (DAM) in rejuvenating photoaged skin by modulating the immune microenvironment. <b>Impact Statement:</b> DAM effectively induces M1 to M2 macrophage polarization and rescues the function of photoaged fibroblasts through paracrine mechanisms, providing a novel strategy for skin antiaging through immune microenvironment remodeling. <b>Introduction:</b> Photoaging, triggered by prolonged ultraviolet exposure, is marked by the depletion of skin structural elements and a persistent inflammatory environment. Current clinical interventions primarily target structural defects, while immune modulation remains underexplored. Therefore, developing biomaterials with both extracellular matrix (ECM) replenishment and immune regulatory functions is crucial for skin regeneration. <b>Methods:</b> A photoaged mouse model was established using ultraviolet B irradiation to validate the inflammatory microenvironment. DAM was prepared via physicochemical decellularization and assessed in vitro for its effects on macrophage polarization and macrophage-fibroblast cross-talk. A DAM-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HA/DAM) hydrogel was developed and evaluated for its effects on skin rejuvenation via subcutaneous injection. <b>Results:</b> In vitro experiments demonstrated that DAM substantially promoted M2 macrophage polarization, and M2-macrophage-conditioned medium further improved fibroblast functions, including oxidative stress resistance, migration, and ECM synthesis. In vivo, HA/DAM hydrogel not only increased dermal thickness and collagen density but also restructured the immune microenvironment through M2 macrophage polarization. <b>Conclusion:</b> DAM offers a novel therapeutic approach for skin rejuvenation by modulating the immune microenvironment, demonstrating notable clinical potential.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0166"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12320489/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144786063","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BME frontiersPub Date : 2025-07-17eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.34133/bmef.0150
Drishya Prakashan, Ramya Pr, Ajeet Kaushik, Sonu Gandhi
{"title":"Sustainable Nanotechnology and Artificial Intelligence to Empower Image-Guided Therapy for Precision Healthcare.","authors":"Drishya Prakashan, Ramya Pr, Ajeet Kaushik, Sonu Gandhi","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0150","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0150","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Nanotechnology has substantially advanced imaging, therapy, and clinical techniques, playing a crucial role in the development of sustainable functional materials in biomedical engineering. Nanoparticles, used as contrast agents in multimodal imaging, offer notable advantages due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio, enabling functionalization with targeting ligands for improved specificity and sensitivity. They can also carry multiple imaging agents or therapeutic drugs, promoting theranostics, an approach combining diagnosis and treatment. However, the need for high-dose contrast agents raises concerns about nanoparticle toxicity. Green nanotechnology addresses this by developing sustainable nanoparticles through eco-friendly synthesis methods, reducing environmental and health risks. Moreover, by using this method, safer imaging agents that align with current health standards can be generated. In parallel, recent advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) are transforming imaging applications. Beyond simple automation of image interpretation, AI is enhancing image acquisition, management, and interpretation, signaling a future where intelligent systems play a key role in healthcare. This review explores the diverse nanomaterials utilized as contrast agents in multimodal imaging, highlights the importance of green nanotechnology in minimizing toxicity, and emphasizes on the important role of AI in imaging and image-guided therapy. Together, these innovations are advancing precision healthcare, promising a future where diagnostics and treatment are not only more effective but also sustainable.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0150"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12494091/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145234381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ves-GAN: Unsupervised Vessel-Targeted Low-Dose Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography Denoising Framework.","authors":"Xinyuan Xiang, Jiayue Li, Yan Yi, Yining Wang, Sixing Yin, Xiaohe Chen","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0149","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> This study aims to develop an unsupervised denoising framework for low-dose coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography (LDCTA), which reduces noise while preserving vascular structures. <b>Impact Statement:</b> This work proposes Ves-GAN, a novel denoising framework that meets the challenges of data acquisition and assumptions about noise characteristics. By providing robust noise reduction while maintaining vascular integrity, Ves-GAN facilitates more reliable clinical evaluations and improves the overall quality of cardiovascular diagnosis. <b>Introduction:</b> LDCTA minimizes radiation exposure in cardiovascular imaging but introduces noise and blurring, affecting diagnostic accuracy. Existing denoising methods, such as supervised deep learning models, require paired datasets and rely on noise assumptions. Unsupervised models show promise but often fail to preserve vascular structures, limiting clinical application. <b>Methods:</b> Ves-GAN incorporates a high-frequency-aware data augmentation strategy for robust generalization. The generator employs a high-frequency squeeze-and-excitation module to improve sensitivity to fine vascular features. Additionally, a vessel-consistency loss is introduced to preserve structural integrity during the denoising process. <b>Results:</b> On average, Ves-GAN achieves 7.5% and 10.2% improvements in peak signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity index metrics compared to existing unsupervised models. Clinical validation involved 50 CT scans reviewed by 3 radiologists, who noted substantial enhancements in vascular clarity and lesion visibility. <b>Conclusion:</b> Ves-GAN outperforms existing unsupervised models in preserving vascular details and noise reduction, significantly enhancing clinical diagnostic reliability.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0149"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12231235/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585688","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BME frontiersPub Date : 2025-07-02eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.34133/bmef.0151
Yuzhu Li, Nir Pillar, Tairan Liu, Guangdong Ma, Yuxuan Qi, Kevin Haan, Yijie Zhang, Xilin Yang, Adrian J Correa, Guangqian Xiao, Kuang-Yu Jen, Kenneth A Iczkowski, Yulun Wu, William Dean Wallace, Aydogan Ozcan
{"title":"Label-Free Evaluation of Lung and Heart Transplant Biopsies Using Tissue Autofluorescence-Based Virtual Staining.","authors":"Yuzhu Li, Nir Pillar, Tairan Liu, Guangdong Ma, Yuxuan Qi, Kevin Haan, Yijie Zhang, Xilin Yang, Adrian J Correa, Guangqian Xiao, Kuang-Yu Jen, Kenneth A Iczkowski, Yulun Wu, William Dean Wallace, Aydogan Ozcan","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0151","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0151","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective and Impact Statement:</b> We present a panel of virtual staining neural networks for lung and heart transplant biopsies, providing rapid and high-quality histological staining results while bypassing the traditional histochemical staining process. <b>Introduction:</b> Allograft rejection is a common complication of organ transplantation, which can lead to life-threatening outcomes if not promptly managed. Histological examination is the gold standard method for evaluating organ transplant rejection status, as it provides detailed insights into rejection signatures at the cellular level. Nevertheless, the traditional histochemical staining process is time-consuming, costly, and labor-intensive since transplant biopsy evaluations typically necessitate multiple stains. Furthermore, once these tissue slides are stained, they cannot be reused for other ancillary tests. More importantly, suboptimal handling of very small tissue fragments from transplant biopsies may impede their effective histochemical staining, and color variations across different laboratories or batches can hinder efficient histological analysis by pathologists. <b>Methods:</b> To mitigate these challenges, we developed a panel of virtual staining neural networks for lung and heart transplant biopsies, which digitally convert autofluorescence microscopic images of label-free tissue sections into their bright-field histologically stained counterparts-bypassing the traditional histochemical staining process. Specifically, we virtually generated hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's Trichrome (MT), and elastic Verhoeff-Van Gieson stains for label-free transplant lung tissue, along with H&E and MT stains for label-free transplant heart tissue. <b>Results:</b> Blind evaluations conducted by 3 board-certified pathologists confirmed that the virtual staining networks consistently produce high-quality histology images with high color uniformity, closely resembling their well-stained histochemical counterparts across various tissue features. The use of virtually stained images for the evaluation of transplant biopsies achieved comparable diagnostic outcomes to those obtained via traditional histochemical staining, with a concordance rate of 82.4% for lung samples and 91.7% for heart samples. Moreover, virtual staining models create multiple stains from the same autofluorescence input, eliminating structural mismatches observed between adjacent sections stained in the traditional workflow, while also saving tissue, expert time, and staining costs. <b>Conclusion:</b> The presented virtual staining panels provide an effective alternative to conventional histochemical staining for transplant biopsy evaluation. These virtual staining panels have the potential to enhance the clinical diagnostic workflow for organ transplant rejection and improve the performance of downstream automated models for the analysis of transplant biopsies.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0151"},"PeriodicalIF":7.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12217214/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556031","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Piezoelectricity Regulating Immune Osteogenesis in Osteoporosis.","authors":"Liyun Wang, Jialiang Zhou, Shengjie Jiang, Xiaoling Deng, Wenbin Zhang, Kaili Lin","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0146","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0146","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> This study aims to investigate the regulatory effects of piezoelectricity on the inflammatory microenvironment in osteoporosis treatment. <b>Impact Statement:</b> Recent studies have extensively explored the impact of piezoelectric materials on macrophage polarization and cytokine secretion. However, the effects of piezoelectricity on macrophages for the regulation of immune osteogenesis in osteoporosis remain poorly understood. This study provides novel insights into the regulatory role of piezoelectricity in macrophage modulation within osteoporotic diseases. <b>Introduction:</b> The overexpression of various inflammatory factors in osteoporosis exacerbates bone metabolism imbalance. Macrophage polarization plays a pivotal role in inflammation regulation and tissue repair. Therefore, investigating the regulatory effects of piezoelectricity on macrophage polarization is crucial for improving the inflammatory microenvironment and fostering an immune environment conducive to osteoporotic bone regeneration. <b>Methods:</b> This study fabricated polarized potassium sodium niobate ceramic (PKNN) piezoelectric bioceramics using solid-phase sintering and high-pressure polarization techniques, and investigated their regulatory effects on macrophage polarization, anti-inflammatory factor expression, and osteogenic differentiation bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells derived from ovariectomized rats (rBMSCs-OVX). <b>Results:</b> PKNN substantially promotes M2 macrophage polarization and enhances anti-inflammatory factor expression, effectively suppressing inflammatory responses. Further studies demonstrate that PKNN, by modulating macrophages, indirectly regulates osteoblast gene expression, improving the inhibitory effects of the pathological microenvironment on osteogenic differentiation of rBMSCs-OVX. <b>Conclusion:</b> This research provides important theoretical evidence for the development of immunomodulatory osteoporotic bone regeneration materials driven by piezoelectricity.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0146"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12214298/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556032","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Soft Robotics for Parkinson's Disease Supported by Functional Materials and Artificial Intelligence.","authors":"Hirak Mazumdar, Kamil Reza Khondakar, Suparna Das, Ajeet Kaushik","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0143","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Progressive neurodegenerative disease known as Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by both motor and nonmotor symptoms that severely reduce the quality of life. Recent developments in soft robotics provide customizable, cozy, and less intrusive assistive devices, which provide promising answers to these problems. To develop an enhanced support system for people with PD, this article explores the potential of next-generation soft robotics, specifically hydrogel materials, integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) to provide an innovative solution for PD management. The integration of an AI copilot allows for remote monitoring and real-time adjustments, ensuring optimal performance and personalized care. The use of AR enhances human-computer interactions, offering an intuitive and immersive experience for both patients and healthcare providers. By leveraging these advanced technologies, our approach aims to substantially improve motor function, reduce symptoms, and enhance the overall quality of life for PD patients. This review outlines the key components, benefits, and potential impact of this novel approach, highlighting the transformative potential of combining wearable robotics, AI, and AR in the treatment of PD. The potential for creating novel healthcare solutions by combining soft robotics, functional materials, the Internet-of-Things (IoT), and machine learning (ML) is highlighted by this multidisciplinary approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0143"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12214301/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556033","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
BME frontiersPub Date : 2025-07-02eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.34133/bmef.0139
Yirui Zhang, Jieyu Yan, Wangheng Hou, Qian Gao, Tao Zhang, Yan Gao, Jingwen Li, Kun Han
{"title":"A General Biosensing Strategy Based on Cascade Amplification for Enhanced HIV Detection Sensitivity.","authors":"Yirui Zhang, Jieyu Yan, Wangheng Hou, Qian Gao, Tao Zhang, Yan Gao, Jingwen Li, Kun Han","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0139","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> Accurate and rapid detection of disease biomarkers is critical for early diagnosis, timely intervention, and effective disease management. <b>Impact Statement:</b> This strategy is exemplified through the development of 2 biosensors for detecting HIV-1 DNA and HIV-1 p24, biomarkers associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). <b>Introduction:</b> We propose a general biosensing strategy that leverages a treble signal amplification cascade, demonstrating its versatility and applicability across diverse biomolecular targets. <b>Methods:</b> The method integrates multiple amplification mechanisms to achieve unparalleled sensitivity. Initially, the hybridization of 2 aided probes with the target triggers isothermal amplification facilitated by polymerase and nicking enzyme, providing a robust preliminary signal enhancement. Repeated cycles of primer extension, nicking, and signal primer dissociation then generate multiple signal primers. These primers are further amplified via rolling circle amplification (RCA), resulting in an important secondary signal boost. Finally, the amplified products activate CRISPR-Cas12a-mediated trans-cleavage, achieving a tertiary level of signal enhancement. <b>Results:</b> This cascade amplification approach achieves remarkable sensitivity, with detection limits of 62 aM for nucleic acids and 8.48 pg/ml for proteins, positioning it as a broadly applicable framework. Clinical samples were assayed, which indicates its capability in clinical diagnosis. <b>Conclusion:</b> Beyond HIV detection, the modular design of this strategy allows adaptation for various biomarkers, showcasing its potential as a universal platform for molecular diagnostics in healthcare and research.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0139"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12214299/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144556021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Revisiting Treatment Strategies: Addressing Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition-Induced Resistance in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.","authors":"Roghayeh Naserkhaki, Bahare Shokouhian, Yaser Tahamtani, Arezoo Khosravi, Siavash Iravani, Ali Zarrabi, Massoud Vosough","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0144","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>One of the major therapeutic challenges for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most form of primary liver cancer, is how to overcome drug resistance. Due to the high failure rate of systemic therapy in treating advanced HCC patients and the increasing recurrence rate, HCC is a highly lethal malignancy. Primary and acquired drug resistance are major contributing factors to the patients with advanced HCC who do not respond effectively to long-term systemic therapy. Therefore, it is essential to look into the molecular processes that lead to drug resistance. Different studies have indicated that epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical part in the emergence of drug resistance. Several signaling pathways regulate this phenomenon. This review primarily concentrates on drug resistance triggered by EMT, especially in the context of HCC. The key signaling pathways that cause drug resistance in HCC, including transforming growth factor-β and epidermal growth factor receptor signaling, liver cancer stem cells, and noncoding RNAs, are highlighted in the present study, along with the most recent molecular targets discovered to prevent drug resistance. These targets could help develop novel and combinatory HCC therapy approaches. Therefore, this review aims to provide both the latest findings on molecular basis and potential solutions for HCC drug resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0144"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12187357/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144487353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Finite Element Simulation of Interstitial-Lymphatic Fluid Flow and Nanodrug Transport in a Solid Tumor: An Intratumoral Injection Approach.","authors":"Gobinda Debnath, Buddakkagari Vasu, Rama Subba Reddy Gorla","doi":"10.34133/bmef.0119","DOIUrl":"10.34133/bmef.0119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Objective:</b> This study presents a mathematical model and finite element simulations to investigate interstitial fluid flow and nanodrug transport in a solid tumor, incorporating transvascular exchange, convection-diffusion-reaction dynamics, and intratumoral injection mechanisms. <b>Impact Statement:</b> Optimizing nanodrug distribution remains a critical challenge in cancer therapy. The proposed model advances nanomedicine by enhancing the mechanistic understanding of nanodrug transport in a solid tumor. <b>Introduction:</b> Cancer, a global threat, often manifests as solid tumors driven by uncontrolled cell growth. The heterogeneous microenvironment, lymphatic drainage, nano-bio interactions, and elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) hinder effective nanodrug delivery. Nanoparticle (NP)-based drug delivery systems offer a promising solution, with FES providing an effective approach to model and simulate the complex delivery process. <b>Methods:</b> The model considered a spherical and symmetrical tumor architecture comprising a central necrosis region, viable tumor, and surrounding healthy tissue with functional lymphatic dynamics. Substantial nanodrug carriers (dextran, liposomal, polyethylene glycol (PEG)-coated gold, and magnetic) and conventional doxorubicin are evaluated in the tumor. The governing fluid flow and solute transport equation along with the specified boundary conditions are solved using the finite element method through the Galerkin approach. <b>Results:</b> Simulations show that IFP peaks in the necrotic core and sharply declines at the viable-healthy tissue interface. Both fluid pressure and velocity are sensitive when fluid flow resistance drops below 5. Necrotic core size influences IFP, and critical necrotic radius (<i>R</i> <sub>CN</sub>) marks pressure stabilization and defines the threshold for effective nanodrug delivery. Vascular normalization and functional lymphatic dynamics show marginal impact. Smaller NPs (~10 nm) diffuse faster but undergo rapid degradation, while larger particles (>30 nm) exhibit prolonged retention at the injection site. Liposomal, PEG-coated gold, and magnetic variants demonstrate superior therapeutic action compared to conventional doxorubicin. <b>Conclusion:</b> The findings of the study highlight its strong potential for optimizing nanodrug delivery and design, as well as hyperthermia treatment, enhancing personalized cancer therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":72430,"journal":{"name":"BME frontiers","volume":"6 ","pages":"0119"},"PeriodicalIF":5.0,"publicationDate":"2025-06-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12143167/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144251100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}