Doxorubicin-loaded polyphosphate glass microspheres for transarterial chemoembolization

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Oncology
• Radiology

Background:

• Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) is standard for intermediate hepatocellular carcinoma.
• Drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE) offers controlled embolization and drug delivery.
• Novel resorbable, radiopaque microspheres are needed for advanced DEB-TACE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize doxorubicin-loaded polyphosphate glass microspheres (PGM) as a novel DEB-TACE platform.
• To evaluate the in vitro drug release kinetics and degradation profile of the PGM.
• To assess the potential impact of PGM degradation products on drug efficacy.

Main Methods:

• PGM synthesis using a water-in-oil emulsion technique with doxorubicin-loaded polyphosphate coacervate.
• In vitro characterization of doxorubicin release kinetics (pH-dependent, non-Fickian transport).
• In vitro assessment of PGM degradation, mass loss, and cytotoxicity of degradation products (Cu2+).

Main Results:

• Synthesized highly spherical, clinically relevant sized PGM particles.
• Observed linear, pH-dependent doxorubicin release from PGM.
• PGM exhibited approximately 75% mass loss over several weeks, with cytotoxic Cu2+ release.
• Cu2+ degradation products may negatively impact doxorubicin's pharmacological activity.

Conclusions:

• Doxorubicin-loaded PGM represent a promising resorbable, radiopaque platform for DEB-TACE.
• Further research into PGM composition is needed to mitigate potential interactions between degradation products and doxorubicin.
• This novel DEB-TACE approach warrants further investigation for hepatocellular carcinoma treatment.