Dual-Functional Esophageal Stent Coating Composed of Paclitaxel-Loaded Electrospun Membrane and Protective Film

There is a high need for covered esophageal stents as part of the palliative treatment for patients suffering from esophageal obstruction, a common symptom of esophageal cancer. This paper describes the development of a soft and flexible multi-functional bilayer membrane carrying paclitaxel, and the use of solution-casting and electrospinning to form this material into an esophageal stent coating. FDA-approved materials and established methods were used to shorten the certification process. A protective layer consisting of a polycaprolactone casting film and an electrospunpoly(lactide-coglycolide)/polycaprolactone/gelatin membrane was employed as a functional layer to enhance the material's hydrophilicity and cytocompatibility, as well as to control drug delivery behaviors. In vitro cytocompatibility indicated that cancer cells adhered and grew better than normal cells when competing for attachment on the surface of fibrous membranes. Cytotoxicity comparisons of paclitaxel-loaded membranes with various paclitaxel concentrations and corresponding paclitaxel solutions indicated that cancer cells were more sensitive than normal cells, and the controlled delivery of paclitaxel from drug-loaded membranes could maintain a sustained antitumor effect and cause less damage to normal cells. Animal experiments showed that the bilayered membrane increased the concentration of drug aggregation at the tumor, achieved efficient antitumor effects and reduced the side-effects of PTX. Bilayered membranes could be a promising stent coating to relieve dysphagia and improve the quality of life for esophageal cancer patients.