Dual delivery of biomacromolecules and drug from nanofibrous tissue engineering scaffolds

Abstract

Dual delivery of growth factor and anticancer drug through tissue engineering scaffolds can be important for post-surgery cancer patients. After tumor removal, tissue regeneration may be needed and nanofibrous scaffolds have many advantages for regenerating tissues. For enhancing tissue regeneration, biomacromolecules such as growth factors can be encapsulated in scaffolds and later released. For preventing cancer recurrence, anticancer drug may be incorporated in scaffolds for its later release. In this study, investigations were made on novel bicomponent scaffolds for dual delivery of biomacromolecules and drug. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) were used as model biomacromolecule and drug. They were separately contained in PLGA50/50 nanofibers and PLGA75/25 nanofibers in bicomponent scaffolds through dual-source dual-power electrospinning. Scaffolds were characterized using various techniques and in vitro release experiments were conducted. Release behaviors of BSA and DOX were different. Sustained release of BSA and DOX from emulsion electrospun scaffolds was observed.