(701f) Novel Polyurethane/Carbon Nanofiber Composites for Bladder Cancer Applications

Polyurethane (PU) is a versatile elastomer that is commonly used in biomedical applications. In turn, materials derived from nanotechnology, specifically carbon nanofibres (CNF), have received increasing attention for their potential use in biomedical applications. Recent studies have shown that the dispersion of carbon nanofibres (CNF) in polyurethane (PU) significantly enhanced composite nanoscaled surface roughness, tensile properties, and thermal stability. Although there have been studies concerning healthy cell function on such nanocomposites, there have been few studies concerning cancer cell responses. This study examined the correlation between transitional (UMUC) and squamous (or Scaber) urothelial carcinoma cells and PU-CNF composites of varying PU and CNF weight ratios (from pure PU to 4:1 (PU:CNF), 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 1:4 to pure CNF). Composites were characterized for mechanical properties, wettability, and surface roughness, by AFM, SEM and goniometry. The adhesion and proliferation of UMUC and Scaber cancer cells were assessed by MTS assays. Cellular responses were further quantified by measuring the amounts of nuclear mitotic protein 22 (NMP-22), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Results demonstrated a strong dependence between the mechanical properties of such nanocomposites and bladder cancer cell responses. In summary, this study provides a novel nanocomposite for replacing cancer bladder tissue with healthy bladder tissue.