Engineered Hierarchical Microdevices Enable Pre-Programmed Controlled Release for Postsurgical and Unresectable...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Oncology

Background:

• Conventional systemic cancer drug administration often yields unsatisfactory clinical benefits.
• Existing drug delivery systems struggle to provide programmable drug release profiles for diverse clinical needs.
• Effective cancer treatment requires improved drug delivery for both resectable and unresectable tumors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a microfabrication concept, Hierarchical Multiple Polymers Immobilization (HMPI).
• To engineer biodegradable-polymer-based hierarchical microdevices (HMDs) for pre-programmed controlled drug release.
• To evaluate the efficacy of HMDs in preclinical models of pancreatic and breast cancer.

Main Methods:

• Developed HMPI strategy to create tailorable hierarchical microstructures.
• Engineered biodegradable HMDs for controlled release of gemcitabine (pancreatic cancer) and doxorubicin/paclitaxel combination (breast cancer).
• Utilized preclinical models for postsurgical pancreatic, postsurgical breast, and unresectable breast cancer.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated well-tolerable and effective treatment with HMDs in preclinical models.
• Successfully inhibited tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis.
• Achieved controlled, in situ drug release for multiple courses according to clinical schedules.

Conclusions:

• The HMPI strategy enables the creation of microdevices with precise control over drug release profiles.
• Engineered HMDs show significant potential as alternative treatments for postsurgical and unresectable tumors.
• This approach offers tailorable solutions for cancer therapy, potentially improving patient outcomes.