Bioactivity behavior of sol-gel derived bioactive glasses containing holmium oxide

Reference	Presenter	Authors (Institution)	Abstract
02-073	Giulia Piagentini Delpino	Piagentini Delpino, G.(Federal University of Abc); Zambanini, T.(Federal University of Abc); Borges, R.(Federal University of Abc); Marchi, J.(Federal University of Abc);	Bone cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled growth of cells in the bone tissue. Since conventional radiotherapy techniques damage the patient's healthy cells, and decrease their life’s quality, brachytherapy comes with a new proposal to introduce radioactive material next to the tumor, then damaging only the cancerous cells. Bioactive glasses containing radioactive agents have been proposed as new materials that may provides an effective bone cancer treatment and a simultaneous bone regeneration of the damaged tissue. In order to ally bone regeneration and cancer treatment, it is essential that the incorporation of radioactive elements in the glass matrix does not impair the ability of the glass to bond to the bone tissue, which can be evaluated by the formation of hydroxyapatite layer on the surface of bioactive glasses. In this work, we evaluated the bioactivity behavior of SiO2-CaO-P2O5 bioactive glasses incorporated with holmium in different concentrations (up to 5 wt%) synthetized by sol-gel method. The amount of holmium in the glass was based on theoretical calculus of nuclear activity, aiming materials for low-dose and high-dose brachytherapy. Bioactivity assays were performed in Simulated Body Fluid solution, in a shaker (120 rpm) at body conditions (36.5 ºC, pH 7.25) for different periods (up to 14 days). Powders surface were analyzed through X-Ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy. The results indicate bioactive glasses nanoparticles were obtained, and the glass showed a fully amorphous structure. After bioactivity experiments, it was found the presence of hydroxyapatite on the surface of the studied powders. The presence of holmium does not significantly alter the bioactive behavior. Therefore, these glasses are potential biomaterials for use in brachytherapy of bone tumors.
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