Evaluation of the cytotoxicity of the ±-Ag2WO4 nanoparticle in liver cancer cells (HepG2)

• Grant number: 23/09842-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2024
• End date: June 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda de Freitas Anibal
• Grantee: Raphael Geraldi Milne-Watson
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Liver cancer is a malignant disease characterized by it's disordinated and abnormal cellular growth, with a high capacity in becoming metastatic. Lots of researchers are in search of different types of treatments, since conventional therapies are still too debilitating for the patients. Because of this, studies are in search of new molecules that are more selective towards tumorous cells, and the use of nanoparticles as therapeutical agents have been promising in the search of new options for the creation of new pharmaceuticals. One of these particles, the ±-Ag2WO4 that possesses antimicrobial properties, may present antitumoral properties as well. Studies in our group suggest that this compound has cytotoxic activities towards other tumorous cells. Thus, this project seeks to analyse the cytotoxicity of this nanoparticle in liver cancer HepG2 cells. To obtain results, there will be applied different methods, with the analysis of the cellular viability and the evaluation of the inflammatory profile in the in vitro experiment. This way, we will inspect a new alternative for the treatment and control the replication of cancerous liver cells in in vitro models.