Research topics

Application of nanoparticles and metal complexes in cancer treatment

  • Topic Manager: Lela Korićanac
  • Associates:
  • Associates from abroad and/or external associates: dr Maja Nešić (040)
    Milica Matijević (040)
  • Research Summary:

    Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Currently available therapies are not adequate for all cancer types, since that the investigation of new approaches in treatment is extremely important. The rapid advancement of nanotechnology and the development of nanomaterials enable the development of sophisticated strategies for targeted cancer therapy. Nanoparticles can improve the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of conventional therapeutics and optimize their efficacy.

    Our previous and planned research is focused on several different approaches in the application of nanoparticles. The basic approach involves monitoring the effects of the nanoparticles themselves (TiO2, CeO2, BiFeO3 etc.) on the growth of cancer cells in vitro. Their effects on the induction and regulation of different types of cell death such as apoptosis and autophagy will be investigated. Molecular mechanisms involved in cell cycle regulation and cell senescence will also be investigated. Further studies will include the action of metallo-complexes as antitumor agents, since nanoparticles, in addition to their direct action on tumor cells, can also serve as carriers of other agents. A special direction of research refers to the use of nanoparticles as photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy, thanks to the phototoxic effect they have on cancer cells after activation by light.

    In addition to contributing to fundamental knowledge in elucidating the signaling pathways involved in the action of nanoparticles and metal complexes, the planned research will also have great potential in translational research into new approaches in cancer treatment.
  • Projects on the Topic:
    • Identification of CNV-miRNAs as genetic drivers and risk factors for congenital anomalies of the kidney andurinary tract (CAKUT) (Jelena Žakula)
    • Nitrogen- and carbon- doped TiO2 nanoparticles as anti-cancer, light-controlled metallo-drug delivery system (Lela Korićanac, Jelena Žakula)
  • Publications:
    1. Nešić M.D., Dučić T., Liang X., Algarra M., Mi L, Korićanac L., Žakula J., Kop T.J., Bjelaković M.S., Mitrović A., Gojgić Cvijović G.D., Stepić M., Petković M., SR-FTIR spectro-microscopic interaction study of biochemical changes in HeLa cells induced by Levan-C60, Pullulan-C60, and their cholesterol-derivatives, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2020, 165, 2541-2549. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.10.141 IF 6,953, Polymer Science 6/91(2020), M21a
    1. Bondžić A., Žakula J., Korićanac L., Keta O., Janjić G., Đorđević I., Rajković S., Cytotoxic activity and influence on acetylcholinesterase of series dinuclear platinum(II) complexes with aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic bridging ligands: Insights in the mechanisms of action, Chemico-Biological Interactions, 2022, 351, 109708, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbi.2021.109708 IF 5,194, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 83/296 (2021), M21
    1. Miletić M., Aškrabić S., Rüger J., Vasić B., Korićanac L., Mondol A.S., Dellith J., Popp J., Schie I.W., Dohčević-Mitrović Z., Combined Raman and AFM detection of changes in HeLa cervical cancer cells induced by CeO2nanoparticles-molecular and morphological perspectives, Analyst, 2020, 145 (11), 3983-3995. DOI: 10.1039/c9an02518a IF 4,616, Chemistry, Analytical 19/87 (2020), M21
    1. Nešić M., Žakula J., Korićanac L., Stepić M., Radoičić M., Popović I., Šaponjić Z., Petković M., Light controlled metallo-drug delivery system based on the TiO2-nanoparticles and Ru-complex, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, 2017, 347, pp. 55-66. DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2017.06.045, IF 2,891; Chemistry, Physical 65/147 (2017), M22       
    1. Matijević M., Žakula J., Korićanac L., Radoičić M, Liang X, Mi L, Filipović Tričković J, Valenta Šobot A, Stanković M, Nakarada Đ, Mojović M, Petković M, Stepić, M, Nešić, M, Controlled killing of human cervical cancer cells by combined action of blue light and C-doped TiO2 nanoparticles, Photochemical and Photobiological Sciences, 2021, 20(8), pp. 1087–1098, IF 3,982; Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 142/296 (2020), M22
  • Cooperations:
    • Vinča Institute of Nuclear Sciences - Department of Atomics Physics
    • Institute of Physics Belgrade