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Updated: Mar 8, 2026
Bioprintable Alginate/Gelatin Hydrogel 3D In Vitro Model Systems Induce Cell Spheroid Formation
Published on: July 2, 2018
Fresh 3D Printing of Spanlastics Hydrogel for Drug Delivery Applications In Vitro
Elom Doe1, Abigail Alabi2, Leela Raghava Jaidev Chakka1
1Pharmaceutical Engineering and 3D Printing Lab (PharmE3D), Department of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, 1 University Avenue, University, MS, 38677, USA.
Purpose:
To develop a localized delivery implant by integrating doxorubicin loaded spanlastic vesicles within Freeform Reversible Embedding of Suspended Hydrogels (FRESH) printed alginate constructs.
Methods:
Spanlastics composed of Sorbitan Monostearate (Span60) and an edge activator, Polyethylene sorbitol ester (Tween 80), were prepared by ethanolic injection. Plain and drug-loaded spanlastics were characterized for their physicochemical properties. Vesicles were incorporated into 3D printed sodium alginate hydrogels in 'FRESH' bioprinting process to promote the sustained drug release of doxorubicin which was assessed using dialysis membrane for drug release. In vitro uptake and cytotoxicity were evaluated in MCF7 breast cancer cells.
Results:
Optimized formulations produced vesicles of approximately 200 to 300 nm with moderate encapsulation efficiency (33 to 44%) and stability during hydrogel incorporation and printing. Printed depots provided sustained doxorubicin release relative to suspension and reduced MCF7 viability, with preferential intracellular and nuclear localization consistent with doxorubicin activity.
Conclusion:
Spanlastic-loaded FRESH printed alginate implants combine vesicle-mediated cellular delivery with matrix-governed sustained release, supporting their potential as a localized chemotherapy depot for further in vivo validation.
