(584an) Characterization of the Size, Shape, and Drug Encapsulation Efficiency of PLGA Microcapsules Produced Via Electrojetting for Anticancer Agent Delivery

Despite significant progress in the development of new chemotherapeutic agents and drug delivery methods for brain tumors, malignant gliomas (high grade brain tumor) remains deadly with a median survival period of only about a year. The high dosage of chemotherapeutic agents required for penetration through the blood brain barrier during chemotherapy not only kills cancer cells but also damages healthy tissues and causes adverse side effects. Hence, a major unmet challenge in the treatment of malignant gliomas is the development of effective and targeted local delivery of chemotherapeutic agents at the cellular level. Drug-loaded PLGA microcapsules with high drug encapsulation efficiency and controlled shape and size are attractive candidates for a more precise control of anticancer agent delivery at the tumor sites. Here, we report the results of a systematic study of the size, shape, and drug release profiles of Poly(lactic-co glycolic) (PLGA) microcapsules produced and loaded with the anticancer agent 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) using an electrojetting technique.  We quantify the shape and size distribution of BCNU-loaded PLGA microcapsules as a function of the polymer concentration and flow rate used during electrojetting, and measure drug release profiles for microcapsules of three different morphologies: flattened microspheres, microspheres, and microfibers.  The BCNU release profiles for all three microcapsule morphologies are found to be in good agreement with model predictions for drug release as a result of drug diffusion and degradation of PLGA microcapsules.