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Programmable Photoswitchable Microcapsules Enable Precise and Tailored Drug Delivery from Microfluidics
Buyun Guo1,2, Tianao Chen3,4, Xianglong Hu3,4
1Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|January 24, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed photoswitchable microcapsules (PMCs) for precise drug delivery. These smart materials offer controlled release using UV-visible light, showing promise for targeted cancer therapy and embolization.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterial Science
- Nanotechnology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Precision medicine requires advanced drug delivery systems controllable in time, space, and dose.
- Stimuli-responsive smart materials are increasingly used for targeted drug delivery.
- Responsive microcapsules fabricated via microfluidics show significant potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop UV-visible light-cycling mediated photoswitchable microcapsules (PMCs) for precise, tailored drug release.
- To investigate the dynamic permeability-switching capability of PMCs for controlled therapeutic agent delivery.
- To demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy of PMCs in patternable cancer cell treatment.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PMCs using programmable pulsed aerodynamic printing (PPAP).
- Encapsulation of magnetic nanoparticles and doxorubicin (DOX) within a PLGA shell.
- Utilizing UV and visible light cycling for controlled drug release and magnetic field for removal.
Main Results:
- PMCs demonstrated high-precision time-, space-, and dose-controlled release of doxorubicin.
- An experimentally validated theoretical model was developed for drug release patterns.
- Effective patternable cancer cell treatment activated by UV radiation was shown.
- PMCs were successfully removed by external magnetic fields post-treatment.
Conclusions:
- PMCs offer a versatile platform for tailored drug delivery and embolic therapy.
- The technology integrates embolization, on-demand drug delivery, magnetic actuation, and imaging properties.
- PMCs hold promise for future customized programmable drug release applications and cancer treatment.
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