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This work reports the synthesis and characterization of a series of new degradable ethynyl-ended polylactides with different architectures. These ethynyl-functionalized polylactides were blended with a commercial low molar mass tetrathiol to prepare crosslinked polymeric networks by a thiol-yne photoclick reaction that was studied by infrared spectroscopy and photocalorimetry. Cell proliferation assays with human colorectal carcinoma cells showed that the resulting polymeric networks are not cytotoxic. Two-dimensional structures were prepared by patterned curing using direct laser writing of the photopolymerizable formulations. Preliminary cell tests on substrates provided with these polymeric structures demonstrate the possibility to generate cell patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are promising tools for a wide array of biomedical applications. One of their most outstanding properties is the ability to generate heat when exposed to alternating magnetic fields, usually exploited in magnetic hyperthermia therapy of cancer. In this contribution, we provide a critical review of the use of MNPs and magnetic hyperthermia as drug release and gene expression triggers for cancer therapy. Several strategies for the release of chemotherapeutic drugs from thermo-responsive matrices are discussed, providing representative examples of their application at different levels (from proof of concept to in vivo applications). The potential of magnetic hyperthermia to promote in situ expression of therapeutic genes using vectors that contain heat-responsive promoters is also reviewed in the context of cancer gene therapy. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]