Imatinib-Functionalized Galactose Hydrogels Loaded with Nanohydroxyapatite as a Drug Delivery System for Osteosarcoma: In Vitro Studies

[Image: see text] This study reports an impact of structure (XRPD, FT-IR) and surface morphology (SEM-EDS) of imatinib-functionalized galactose hydrogels, loaded and unloaded with nHAp, on osteosarcoma cell (Saos-2 and U-2OS) viability, levels of free oxygen radicals, and nitric oxide, levels of BCL-2, p53, and caspase 3 and 9, as well as glycoprotein-P activity. It was investigated how the rough surface of the crystalline hydroxyapatite-modified hydrogel affected amorphous imatinib (IM) release. The imatinib drug effect on cell cultures has been demonstrated in different forms of administration—directly to the culture or the hydrogels. Administration of IM and hydrogel composites could be expected to reduce the risk of multidrug resistance development by inhibiting P(gp).