Thermosensitive Block Copolymer Hydrogel with Embedded Catanionic Vesicles as a Localized Doxorubicin Delivery...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Oncology

Background:

• Melanoma poses significant therapeutic challenges due to metastasis and chemotherapy resistance.
• Localized drug delivery systems offer a promising alternative to systemic treatments for melanoma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a thermosensitive hybrid hydrogel for localized doxorubicin (DOX) delivery in melanoma.
• To investigate the interactions between polymer scaffolds and nanovesicles for enhanced drug delivery.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of a hybrid hydrogel by incorporating DOX-loaded catanionic vesicles into a poloxamer 237 (F87) scaffold.
• Comprehensive characterization including rheology, biocompatibility, drug release kinetics, and in vitro anti-melanoma activity.
• Investigation of molecular-level polymer-surfactant interactions and their impact on vesicle properties.

Main Results:

• Strong, thermally driven polymer-surfactant interactions were observed, modifying aggregate properties and surface charge.
• The hybrid hydrogel exhibited controlled DOX release kinetics and high encapsulation efficiency.
• The system demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and superior in vitro anti-melanoma efficacy compared to controls.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid hydrogel is a versatile and tunable platform for localized melanoma drug delivery.
• Integration of catanionic vesicles into thermosensitive polymeric scaffolds enhances therapeutic performance.
• This strategy holds promise for improved localized treatment of skin cancer.