Injectable biodegradable bi-layered capsule for sustained delivery of bevacizumab in treating wet age-related macular...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Ophthalmology

Background:

• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) inhibition with bevacizumab is crucial for treating cancers and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
• Current anti-VEGF therapies face challenges with burst drug release and insufficient drug loading for long-term vascular disease treatment.
• Sustained delivery of high bevacizumab concentrations is needed for chronic vascular conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a polymeric bi-layered capsule for extended, controlled release of bevacizumab.
• To address limitations of insufficient drug loading and drug-device interactions in anti-VEGF therapies.
• To create a platform for long-term treatment of chronic vascular diseases.

Main Methods:

• Development of a polymeric bi-layered capsule with a central hollow design.
• Utilized physical trapping and electrostatic interactions for optimal bevacizumab diffusion and structural integrity.
• Evaluated drug release kinetics using in vitro assays and assessed anti-VEGF potency and toxicity.

Main Results:

• The bi-layered capsule demonstrated extended bevacizumab release over one year, significantly longer than previous devices.
• The design enabled higher drug loading capacity, meeting requirements for prolonged therapy.
• In vitro studies confirmed minimal toxicity and sustained anti-VEGF potency of the released drug.

Conclusions:

• The developed bi-layered capsule platform offers an effective solution for sustained local delivery of bevacizumab.
• This approach has the potential to improve treatment outcomes for chronic vascular diseases requiring long-term anti-VEGF therapy.
• The capsule's design overcomes key limitations, paving the way for advanced therapeutic strategies.