The use of fibrin glue for the local delivery of drugs and photosensitizers in photochemical internalization

Abstract

SignificanceImplantation of drug-loaded hydrogels, such as fibrin glue (FG), into the tumor resection cavity has the potential to overcome the poor penetration of drugs across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of FG to release bleomycin (BLM) and AlPcS2a for photochemical internalization (PCI)-induced growth inhibition of glioma spheroids in vitro. ApproachFG layers loaded with BLM and AlPcS2a were formed in wells of a 24-well plate and supernatants covering the FG layers were harvested after 48 h. Spheroids were co-incubated with supernatants for 24 h followed by light exposure. Spheroid growth was monitored for an additional 14 days. Results100% of BLM and 90% of AlPcS2a were released from the FG over 48 h. Spheroid growth was significantly inhibited by PCI of released BLM and AlPcS2a for many of the concentration combinations examined. ConclusionsBoth drug and photosensitizer were loaded into and released from FG in a non-degraded form for an extended time period and resulted in significant spheroid growth inhibition following PCI.