Formulation of polycaprolactone meshes by melt electrospinning for controlled release of daunorubicin in tumour therapy

Abstract

Several types of chemotherapeutic agents are used in cancer treatment. Among these agents, daunorubicin hydrochloride which is a cell-cycle non-specific antitumor agent is commonly used for treating various types of cancers. This work aims to design daunorubicin loaded polymeric fibre meshes with melt electrospinning using poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) polymer for potential localized antitumor application. The prepared meshes had smooth surface with uniform distribution of daunorubicin as indicated by fluorescent microscope. The meshes thickness increased by increasing the daunorubicin concentration loaded into the PCL fibres. The process of melt electrospinning did not result in any chemical interactions between PCL and daunorubicin neither changed the crystalline structure of these components. Concentration dependent slow-release profile of daunorubicin from the melt electrospun fibres was achieved. Cytotoxicity of the released daunorubicin was assessed on melanoma and ovarian cancer cells and revealed that the cytotoxicity was increased by increasing the time of meshes incubation due to the slow-release profile of daunorubicin. These results prove that PCL-based fibre meshes loaded with daunorubicin are a suitable therapeutic option for local application of antitumour agents. This can enhance the therapeutic outcomes and reduce the unwanted toxicities of these anticancer molecules.