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Effects of freezing on intratumoral drug transport

Bumsoo Han1, Ka Yaw Teo

  • 1University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76019, USA. bhan@uta.edu

Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society. Annual International Conference
|December 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Freeze/thaw cycles can improve drug delivery in tumors by altering tissue microstructure, enhancing interstitial diffusion. This finding is crucial for optimizing chemotherapy strategies in cryo-treated cancers.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cancer Therapy
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Tumor interstitial diffusion is a major barrier for novel therapeutic agents.
  • Freeze/thaw (F/T) processes are hypothesized to alter tumor microstructure favorably for drug delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test the hypothesis that F/T enhances interstitial diffusion in tumors.
  • To investigate F/T effects on tumor tissue microstructure for improved drug delivery.
  • To inform the development of chemotherapeutic strategies for cryo-treated tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized an in vitro engineered tumor model (ET).
  • Characterized the effects of F/T on interstitial diffusion.
  • Measured diffusion coefficients of FITC-labeled dextran in frozen/thawed and unfrozen ETs.

Main Results:

  • Diffusion coefficients of FITC-labeled dextran increased significantly after F/T.
  • The extent of diffusion enhancement was dependent on dextran size.
  • F/T induces favorable microstructural changes that facilitate interstitial diffusion.

Conclusions:

  • F/T can enhance interstitial diffusion, overcoming a key drug delivery barrier in tumors.
  • Combining cryosurgery and chemotherapy requires consideration of F/T-induced biophysical tissue changes.
  • Drug molecule diffusion characteristics must be matched with F/T effects for effective cancer treatment.

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