Cryoablation-aided joint retention surgery for epiphysis involvement in osteosarcoma compared with endoprosthetic replacement

Current approaches in tissue engineering-based nanotherapeutics for osteosarcoma treatment

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant bone neoplasm plagued by poor prognosis. Major treatment strategies include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Chemotherapy to treat OS has severe adverse effects due to systemic toxicity to healthy cells. A possible way to overcome the limitation is to utilize nanotechnology. Nanotherapeutics is an emerging approach in treating OS using nanoparticulate drug delivery systems. Surgical resection of OS leaves a critical bone defect requiring medical intervention. Recently, tissue engineered scaffolds have been reported to provide physical support to bone defects and aid multimodal treatment of OS. These scaffolds loaded with nanoparticulate delivery systems could also actively repress tumor growth and aid new bone formation. The rapid developments in nanotherapeutics and bone tissue engineering have paved the way for improved treatment efficacy for OS-related bone defects. This review focuses on current bifunctional nanomaterials-based tissue engineered (NTE) scaffolds that use novel approaches such as magnetic hyperthermia, photodynamic therapy, photothermal therapy, bioceramic and polymeric nanotherapeutics against OS. With further optimization and screening, NTE scaffolds could meet clinical applications for treating OS patients.

Screening and Analysis of Biomarkers in the miRNA-mRNA Regulatory Network of Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a malignant disease, and few effective strategies can completely overcome the prognosis of these patients. This study attempted to reveal the key factors and related molecular mechanisms of osteosarcoma via excavating public microarray datasets. The data were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database; the differentially expressed miRNAs and differentially expressed genes were obtained in GSE69470 and GSE12685l, respectively; the target of miRNAs were predicted with the miRDIP database; the functions of the factors were analyzed and visualized by the David database and R language, respectively. Moreover, the protein-protein interaction network and miRNA-mRNA network were performed with the STRING database and Cytoscape software to identify the hub nodes in GSE69470 and GSE12685. The results showed that 834 DEGs were found in GSE12685 and 37 miRNAs were found in GSE69470. Moreover, the target of 37 miRNAs were enriched in PI3K/AKT, P53, Wnt/β-catenin, and TGF-β pathways and related with skeletal system development and cell growth. Besides, the miRNAs including miR-22-3p, miR-154-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-485-3p, miR-93-5p, and miR-9-5p and the genes including LEF1, RUNX2, CSF1R, CDKN1A, and FBN1 were identified as the hub nodes via network analysis. In conclusion, this study suggested that the miRNAs including miR-22-3p, miR-154-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-485-3p, miR-93-5p, and miR-9-5p and the genes including LEF1, RUNX2, CSF1R, CDKN1A, and FBN1 act as key factors in the progression of osteosarcoma.

Current Status and Prospects of Clinical Treatment of Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma, one of the common malignant tumors in the skeletal system, originates in mesenchymal tissue, and the most susceptible area of occurrence is the metaphysis with its abundant blood supply. Tumors are characterized by highly malignant spindle stromal cells that can produce bone-like tissue. Most of the osteosarcoma are primary, and a few are secondary. Osteosarcoma occurs primarily in children and adolescents undergoing vigorous bone growth and development. Most cases involve rapid tumor development and early blood metastasis. In recent years, research has grown in the areas of molecular biology, imaging medicine, biological materials, applied anatomy, surgical techniques, biomechanics, and comprehensive treatment of tumors. With developments in molecular biology and tissue bioengineering, treatment methods have also made great progress, especially in comprehensive limb salvage treatment, which significantly enhances the quality of life after surgery and improves the 5-year survival rate of patients with malignant tumors. This article provides a review of limb salvage, immunotherapy, gene therapy, and targeted therapy from traditional amputation to neoadjuvant chemotherapy, providing a reference for current clinical treatments for osteosarcoma.