Biodegradable pH-sensitive prospidine-loaded dextran phosphate based hydrogels for local tumor therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Cancer Therapy

Background:

• Local cancer therapy requires effective drug delivery systems.
• Hydrogels offer potential as biocompatible carriers for sustained drug release.
• pH-responsive materials can improve targeted drug delivery in tumor microenvironments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize dextran phosphate (DP) hydrogels as pH-responsive drug delivery systems for local cancer therapy.
• To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo performance of DP-based drug delivery systems.
• To assess the potential of DP hydrogels as carriers for anticancer agents.

Main Methods:

• Physicochemical characterization of DP hydrogels (functional groups, morphology, gel fraction, pH-responsive swelling).
• In vitro drug release studies using Prospidine-loaded DP hydrogels (DP-Pr hydrogels) at various pH values.
• In vitro degradation studies under simulated physiological conditions.
• Cytotoxicity evaluation of DP and DP-Pr hydrogels using HeLa and HEp-2 cell lines.
• In vivo antitumor efficiency assessment in a tumor-bearing animal model.

Main Results:

• DP hydrogels exhibited desirable pH-sensitive swelling and drug release characteristics.
• DP-Pr hydrogels demonstrated controlled in vitro degradation.
• Blank DP hydrogels and DP-Pr hydrogels showed no significant cytotoxicity.
• In vivo studies revealed enhanced antitumor activity, prolonged therapeutic action, and improved cure rates with DP-Pr hydrogels compared to aqueous Prospidine solutions.

Conclusions:

• pH-responsive dextran phosphate hydrogels are effective drug delivery carriers for local cancer therapy.
• DP hydrogels demonstrate favorable physicochemical properties, biocompatibility, and enhanced in vivo antitumor efficacy.
• These hydrogels represent a promising platform for developing advanced cancer treatment strategies.