Bacterial cellulose films for L-asparaginase delivery to melanoma cells

L-asparaginase (L-ASNase) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of L-asparagine to L-aspartic acid and ammonia and is used to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. It is also toxic to the cells of some solid tumors, including melanoma cells. Immobilization of this enzyme can improve its activity against melanoma tumor cells. In this work, the properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) and feasibility of BC films as a new carrier for immobilized L-ASNase were investigated. Different values of growth time were used to obtain BC films with different thicknesses and porosities, which determine the water content and the ability to adsorb and release L-ASNase. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the adsorption of the enzyme on the BC films. The total activity of adsorbed L-ASNase and its release were investigated for films grown for 48, 72 or 96 h. BC films grown for 96 h showed the most pronounced release as described by zero-order and Korsmayer-Peppas models. The release was characterized by controlled diffusion where the drug was released at a constant rate. BC films with immobilized L-ASNase could induce cytotoxicity in A875 human melanoma cells. With further development, immobilization of L-ASNase on BC may become a potent strategy for anticancer drug delivery to superficial tumors.