By Type: Journal Article

Carlos, F. F., B. Veigas, A. S. Matias, G. Doria, O. Flores, and P. V. Baptista. "Allele specific LAMP- gold nanoparticle for characterization of single nucleotide polymorphisms." Biotechnol Rep (Amst) 16 (2017): 21-25. AbstractWebsite

n/a

Vinhas, Raquel, Rita Mendes, Alexandra R. Fernandes, and Pedro V. Baptista. "Nanoparticles—Emerging Potential for Managing Leukemia and Lymphoma." Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol 5 (2017): 79. AbstractWebsite

Nanotechnology has become a powerful approach to improve the way we diagnose and treat cancer. In particular, nanoparticles possess unique features for enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for earlier detection of circulating cancer biomarkers. In vivo, nanoparticles enhance the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer agents when compared to conventional chemotherapy, improving vectorization and delivery, and helping to overcome drug resistance. Nanomedicine has been mostly focused on solid cancers due to take advantage from the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect experienced by tissues in the close vicinity of tumors, which enhance nanomedicine’s accumulation and, consequently, improve efficacy. Nanomedicines for leukemia and lymphoma, where EPR effect is not a factor, are addressed differently from solid tumors. Nevertheless, nanoparticles have provided innovative approaches to simple and non-invasive methodologies for diagnosis and treatment in liquid tumors. In this review, we consider the state of the art on different types of nanoconstructs for the management of liquid tumors, from pre-clinical studies to clinical trials. We also discuss the advantages of nanoplatforms for theranostics and the central role played by nanoparticles in this combined strategy.

Coelho, Beatriz Jorge, Bruno Veigas, Hugo Aguas, Elvira Fortunato, Rodrigo Martins, Pedro Viana Baptista, and Rui Igreja. "A Digital Microfluidics Platform for Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Detection." Sensors 17 (2017). Abstract

n/a

Roma-Rodrigues, Catarina, Cynthia Alves-Barroco, Luis R. Raposo, Mafalda N. Costa, Elvira Fortunato, Pedro Viana Baptista, Alexandra R. Fernandes, and Ilda Santos-Sanches. "Infection of human keratinocytes by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies dysgalactiae isolated from milk of the bovine udder." Microbes and Infection 18 (2016): 290-293. Abstract

n/a

Corvo, Luísa M., Ana Soraia Mendo, Sara Figueiredo, Rogério Gaspar, Miguel Larguinho, Fátima Guedes M. C. da Silva, Pedro Viana Baptista, and Alexandra R. Fernandes. "Liposomes as Delivery System of a Sn(IV) Complex for Cancer Therapy." Pharmaceutical Research (2016).
Conde, Joao, Furong Tian, Jesus M. de la Fuente, and Pedro V. Baptista. "Editorial: Cancer Nanotheranostics: What Have We Learned So Far?" Frontiers in Chemistry 71 (2016).Website
Lenis-Rojas, O. A., A. R. Fernandes, C. Roma-Rodrigues, P. V. Baptista, F. Marques, D. Perez-Fernandez, J. Guerra-Varela, L. Sanchez, D. Vazquez-Garcia, M. Lopez Torres, A. Fernandez, and J. J. Fernandez. "Heteroleptic mononuclear compounds of ruthenium(II): synthesis, structural analyses, in vivo antitumor activity and in vivo toxicity on zebrafish embryost." Dalton Transactions 45 (2016): 19127-19140. Abstract

n/a

Roma-Rodrigues, Catarina, Amelie Heuer-Jungemann, Alexandra R. Fernandes, Antonios G. Kanaras, and Pedro V. Baptista. "Peptide-coated gold nanoparticles for modulation of angiogenesis in vivo." International Journal of Nanomedicine 11 (2016): 2633-2639. Abstract

n/a

Cordeiro, Milton, Leticia Giestes, Joao Carlos Lima, and Pedro Baptista. "BioCode gold-nanobeacon for the detection of fusion transcripts causing chronic myeloid leukemia." Journal of Nanobiotechnology 38 (2016). AbstractWebsite

Background
Gold-nanobeacons (Au-nanobeacons) have proven to be versatile systems for molecular diagnostics and therapeutic actuators. Here, we present the development and characterization of two gold nanobeacons combined with Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based spectral codification for dual mode sequence discrimination. This is the combination of two powerful technologies onto a single nanosystem.

Results
We proved this concept to detect the most common fusion sequences associated with the development of chronic myeloid leukemia, e13a2 and e14a2. The detection is based on spectral shift of the donor signal to the acceptor, which allows for corroboration of the hybridization event. The Au-nanobeacon acts as scaffold for detection of the target in a homogenous format whose output capability (i.e. additional layer of information) is potentiated via the spectral codification strategy.

Conclusions
The spectral coded Au-nanobeacons permit the detection of each of the pathogenic fusion sequences, with high specificity towards partial complementary sequences. The proposed BioCode Au-nanobeacon concept provides for a nanoplatform for molecular recognition suitable for cancer diagnostics.

Ma, Zhen, Bian Zhang, Fátima Guedes M. C. da Silva, Joana Silva, Ana Soraia Mendo, Pedro Viana Baptista, and Alexandra R. Fernandes. "Synthesis, Characterization, Thermal Properties and Antiproliferative Potential of Copper(II) 4′-phenyl-terpyridine Compounds." Dalton Transactions 45 (2016).
Luisa Corvo, M., Ana Soraia Mendo, Sara Figueiredo, Rogerio Gaspar, Miguel Larguinho, Fatima M. C. Guedes da Silva, Pedro Viana Baptista, and Alexandra R. Fernandes. "Liposomes as Delivery System of a Sn(IV) Complex for Cancer Therapy." Pharmaceutical Research 33 (2016): 1351-1358. Abstract

n/a

Vinhas, Raquel, Milton Cordeiro, Pedro Pedrosa, Alexandra R. Fernandes, and Pedro V. Baptista. "Current trends in molecular diagnostics of chronic myeloid leukemia." Leukemia & Lymphoma (2016): 1-14. AbstractWebsite

Nearly 1.5 million people worldwide suffer from chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), characterized by the genetic translocation t(9;22)(q34;q11.2), involving the fusion of the Abelson oncogene (ABL1) with the breakpoint cluster region (BCR) gene. Early onset diagnosis coupled to current therapeutics allow for a treatment success rate of 90, which has focused research on the development of novel diagnostics approaches. In this review, we present a critical perspective on current strategies for CML diagnostics, comparing to gold standard methodologies and with an eye on the future trends on nanotheranostics.

Baptista, Pedro Viana. "Precision nanomedicine in cancer: how far are we from personalization?" Expert Review of Precision Medicine and Drug Development 1 (2016): 227-228. Abstract

n/a

Martins, Marta, Pedro V. Baptista, Ana Soraia Mendo, Claudia Correia, Paula Videira, Antonio S. Rodrigues, J. Muthukumaran, Teresa Santos-Silva, Ana Silva, Fatima M. C. Guedes da Silva, Joana Gigante, Antonio Duarte, Malgorzata Gajewska, and Alexandra R. Fernandes. "In vitro and in vivo biological characterization of the anti-proliferative potential of a cyclic trinuclear organotin(IV) complex." Molecular Biosystems 12 (2016): 1015-1023. Abstract

n/a

Vinhas, Raquel, Claudia Correia, Patricia Ribeiro, Alexandra Lourenco, Aida Botelho de Sousa, Alexandra R. Fernandes, and Pedro V. Baptista. "Colorimetric assessment of BCR-ABL1 transcripts in clinical samples via gold nanoprobes." Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 408 (2016): 5277-5284. Abstract

n/a

Cordeiro, Milton, Fabio Ferreira Carlos, Pedro Pedrosa, Antonio Lopez, and Pedro Viana Baptista. "Gold Nanoparticles for Diagnostics: Advances towards Points of Care." Diagnostics 6 (2016). Abstract

n/a

Mendes, Rita, Barbara Carreira, Pedro V. Baptista, and Alexandra R. Fernandes. "Non-small cell lung cancer biomarkers and targeted therapy - two faces of the same coin fostered by nanotechnology." Expert Review of Precision Medicine and Drug Development 1 (2016): 155-168. Abstract

n/a

Vinhas, Raquel, Anna Tolmatcheva, Rafaela Canto, Patricia Ribeiro, Alexandra Lourenco, Aida Botelho de Sousa, Pedro V. Baptista, and Alexandra R. Fernandes. "A novel mutation in CEBPA gene in a patient with acute myeloid leukemia." Leukemia & Lymphoma 57 (2016): 711-713. Abstract

n/a

Cordeiro, Mílton, Fábio Ferreira Carlos, Pedro Pedrosa, António Lopez, and Pedro Viana Baptista. "Gold Nanoparticles for Diagnostics: Advances towards Points of Care." Diagnostics 6 (2016): 43. AbstractWebsite

The remarkable physicochemical properties of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have prompted developments in the exploration of biomolecular interactions with AuNP-containing systems, in particular for biomedical applications in diagnostics. These systems show great promise in improving sensitivity, ease of operation and portability. Despite this endeavor, most platforms have yet to reach maturity and make their way into clinics or points of care (POC). Here, we present an overview of emerging and available molecular diagnostics using AuNPs for biomedical sensing that are currently being translated to the clinical setting.

Martins, Pedro, João Jesus, Sofia Santos, Luis R. Raposo, Catarina Roma-Rodrigues, Pedro Viana Baptista, and Alexandra Fernandes. "Heterocyclic Anticancer Compounds: Recent Advances and the Paradigm Shift towards the Use of Nanomedicine’s Tool Box." Molecules (2015): 16852-16891. AbstractWebsite

The majority of heterocycle compounds and typically common heterocycle fragments present in most pharmaceuticals currently marketed, alongside with their intrinsic versatility and unique physicochemical properties, have poised them as true cornerstones of medicinal chemistry. Apart from the already marketed drugs, there are many other being investigated for their promising activity against several malignancies. In particular, anticancer research has been capitalizing on the intrinsic versatility and dynamic core scaffold of these compounds. Nevertheless, as for any other promising anticancer drugs, heterocyclic compounds do not come without shortcomings. In this review, we provide for a concise overview of heterocyclic active compounds and families and their main applications in medicine. We shall focus on those suitable for cancer therapy while simultaneously addressing main biochemical modes of action, biological targets, structure-activity relationships as well as intrinsic limitation issues in the use of these compounds. Finally, considering the advent of nanotechnology for effective selective targeting of drugs, we shall discuss fundamental aspects and considerations on nanovectorization of such compounds that may improve pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties of heterocycles.

Pedrosa, Pedro, Raquel Vinhas, Alexandra Fernandes, and Pedro V. Baptista. "Gold Nanotheranostics: Proof-of-Concept or Clinical Tool?" Nanomaterials 5 (2015): 1853-1879. AbstractWebsite

Nanoparticles have been making their way in biomedical applications and personalized medicine, allowing for the coupling of diagnostics and therapeutics into a single nanomaterial—nanotheranostics. Gold nanoparticles, in particular, have unique features that make them excellent nanomaterials for theranostics, enabling the integration of targeting, imaging and therapeutics in a single platform, with proven applicability in the management of heterogeneous diseases, such as cancer. In this review, we focus on gold nanoparticle-based theranostics at the lab bench, through pre-clinical and clinical stages. With few products facing clinical trials, much remains to be done to effectively assess the real benefits of nanotheranostics at the clinical level. Hence, we also discuss the efforts currently being made to translate nanotheranostics into the market, as well as their commercial impact.

Larguinho, Miguel, Sofia Santos, Joao Almeida, and Pedro V. Baptista. "DNA adduct identification using gold-aptamer nanoprobes." Iet Nanobiotechnology 9 (2015): 95-101. Abstract

n/a

Veigas, Bruno, Elvira Fortunato, and Pedro V. Baptista. "Field Effect Sensors for Nucleic Acid Detection: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives." Sensors 15 (2015): 10380-10398. Abstract

n/a

Veigas, Bruno, Pedro Pedrosa, Fabio F. Carlos, Liliana Mancio-Silva, Ana Rita Grosso, Elvira Fortunato, Maria M. Mota, and Pedro V. Baptista. "One nanoprobe, two pathogens: gold nanoprobes multiplexing for point-of-care." Journal of Nanobiotechnology 13 (2015). Abstract

n/a

Mendo, Ana Soraia, Sara Figueiredo, Catarina Roma-Rodrigues, Paula A. Videira, Zhen Ma, Mário Diniz, Miguel Larguinho, Pedro Costa, João C. Lima, Armando J. L. Pombeiro, Pedro V. Baptista, and Alexandra R. Fernandes. "Characterization of antiproliferative potential and biological targets of a copper compound containing 4'-phenyl terpyridine." JBIC Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry 2 (2015): 935-948. AbstractWebsite

Several copper complexes have been assessed as anti-tumor agents against cancer cells. In this work, a copper compound [Cu(H2O){OS(CH3)2}L](NO3)2 incorporating the ligand 4'-phenyl-terpyridine antiproliferative activity against human colorectal, hepatocellular carcinomas and breast adenocarcinoma cell lines was determined, demonstrating high cytotoxicity. The compound is able to induce apoptosis and a slight delay in cancer cell cycle progression, probably by its interaction with DNA and induction of double-strand pDNA cleavage, which is enhanced by oxidative mechanisms. Moreover, proteomic studies indicate that the compound induces alterations in proteins involved in cytoskeleton maintenance, cell cycle progression and apoptosis, corroborating its antiproliferative potential.