A Photopolymerized Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks-Based Hydrogel Incorporated with Nanoparticle for Local Chemotherapy of Tumors

Yeying Wang¹, Qilong Li¹, Jing-E Zhou¹

¹Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 North Zhong-shan Road, Shanghai, 200062, People's Republic of China.

Pharmaceutical Research|April 2, 2021

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Summary

This study developed a novel nanoparticle-hydrogel system for localized chemotherapy. The PEGDA-HA/PLGA-PTX hydrogel effectively inhibited tumor growth in mice without toxicity, showing promise for cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Nanotechnology
Drug Delivery Systems

Background:

Local drug delivery is crucial for effective tumor treatment.
Developing advanced delivery systems can improve therapeutic outcomes and reduce side effects.
Nanoparticle-hydrogel composites offer potential for sustained drug release and targeted therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

To create a novel semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) hydrogel incorporating paclitaxel-loaded nanoparticles for local tumor therapy.
To optimize the formulation of a poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) and hyaluronic acid (HA) based hydrogel.
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the PEGDA-HA/PLGA-PTX hydrogel as a local drug delivery system.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of PEGDA-HA hydrogel via in situ UV photopolymerization.
Preparation of paclitaxel (PTX) loaded PLGA nanoparticles (PLGA-PTX NPs) using emulsion solvent evaporation.
Optimization of hydrogel components (initiator, HA concentration) based on gelation, swelling, and degradation rates.
In vitro assessment of nanoparticle cytotoxicity and cellular uptake.
In vivo evaluation of tumor inhibition and toxicity in a mouse model.

Main Results:

Optimized PEGDA-HA hydrogel formulation achieved sustained drug release for 13 days.
PLGA-PTX NPs exhibited comparable cytotoxicity to free PTX and high cellular uptake (96%) in NCI-H460 cells.
In vivo studies demonstrated significant tumor growth inhibition by the PEGDA-HA/PLGA-PTX hydrogel without observable toxic effects in mice.

Conclusions:

The developed PEGDA-HA/PLGA-PTX hydrogel is a promising platform for local chemotherapy delivery in tumor treatment.
In situ UV photopolymerization enabled the creation of a sophisticated nanoplatform for targeted cancer therapy.
This nanoparticle-hydrogel superstructure shows potential for future clinical applications in oncology.

A Photopolymerized Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks-Based Hydrogel Incorporated with Nanoparticle for Local Chemotherapy of Tumors

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