3D superhydrophobic materials from biocompatible building blocks have been prepared where air acts as a barrier component to control the rate at which drug is released (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 2016-2019).  Specifically, we fabricated poly(e-caprolactone) electrospun meshes containing poly(glycerol monostearate-co-e-caprolactone) as a hydrophobic polymer dopant, which results in high apparent contact angle meshes.  The apparent contact angle of these meshes controls the rate at which water penetrates into the porous network and displaces entrapped air.  Entrapment of the anti-cancer agent, SN-38, into the meshes shows a release rate with a striking dependence on apparent contact.  Finally, the entrapped air layer within superhydrophobic meshes is shown to be robust in the presence of serum, where drug loaded meshes are efficacious against cancer cells in vitro for >60 days, thus demonstrating applicability for long-term drug delivery for application in cancer therapy.

Superhydrophobic biomaterials for tunable drug release: New organic materials for the prevention and treatment of recurrent cancers

244th National Meeting (2012)

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