Direct site-specific treatment of skin cancer using doxorubicin-loaded nanofibrous membranes

Doxorubicin (DOX) is widely used in cancer therapy. However, its application is sometimes limited by its adverse cardiotoxicity and delivery pathways. In our study, we prepared a topical implantable delivery device for controlled drug release and site-specific treatment. The core region consisted of poly (lactic co-glycolic acid) and poly-caprolactone, whereas the shell region was composed of cross-linked gelatin. DOX was enclosed in the core region of a core-shell nanofiber obtained by electrospinning. This implantable delivery device was implanted on the top of the melanoma in a mouse model, which had shown a DOX-controlled release profile with sustained and sufficient local concentration against melanoma growth in mice with negligible side effects. Compared with the traditional intravenous administration, the implantable device allows precisely localized treatment and therefore can reduce the dose, decrease the injection frequency, and ensure antitumor efficacy associated with lower side effects to normal tissues. Using a coaxial electrospinning process, it is promising to deliver different hydrophobic or hydrophilic drugs for direct tumor site-specific therapy without large systemic doses and minimized systemic toxicity.