# Antitumoral-Embedded Biopolymeric Spheres for Implantable Devices

## TL;DR

This study explores biopolymeric spheres embedded with a drug and mineral to improve implantable medical devices for better patient outcomes.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in using PLGA spheres with HA and MTX to create bioactive coatings for implants.

## Key findings

- The composite coatings showed gradual antitumor drug release and biomineralization potential.
- The materials demonstrated superior biocompatibility and enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation.
- They outperformed pristine titanium in tests with human preosteoblast and osteosarcoma cells.

## Abstract

The bioactive surface modification of implantable devices paves the way towards the personalized healthcare practice by providing a versatile and tunable approach that increase the patient outcome, facilitate the medical procedure, and reduce the indirect or secondary effects. The purpose of our study was to assess the performance of composite coatings based on biopolymeric spheres of poly(lactide-co-glycolide) embedded with hydroxyapatite (HA) and methotrexate (MTX). Bio-simulated tests performed for up to one week evidenced the gradual release of the antitumor drug and the biomineralization potential of PLGA/HA-MTX sphere coatings. The composite materials proved superior biocompatibility and promoted enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation with respect to human preosteoblast and osteosarcoma cell lines when compared to pristine titanium.