Localizing Chemotherapeutic Drug Release Through the Use of Polymer-Based Surgical Sealants to Treat Stage III Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Current cancer treatments, such as systemic chemotherapy, induce several complications that affect the entire body; localizing chemotherapy to the tumor site has the potential to minimize harmful side effects. Solution blow spinning (SBS) offers the possibility of incorporating chemotherapy drugs into a polymer solution through the use of a compressed airbrush. This would allow for direct deposit of a polymer mat after surgically removing the tumor. Sutures, in combination with polymer sealants, could be used to prevent complications after surgery. This study focuses on stage IIIA colorectal cancer because cancer cells have not spread distantly yet, and treatment typically involves surgery followed by chemotherapy. Three key aims were addressed in this study to assess polymer-drug combinations’ compatibility with SBS, observe drug release patterns, and evaluate the effect of drug incorporation on polymer adhesion to intestinal tissue. Our results suggested that the polymer-drug combination of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) and capecitabine shows promise as an adhesive surgical sealant with a drug release pattern that is complementary to a typical resection healing timeline.