The University of Cincinnati Researchers Develop New Treatment for Brain Cancer
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have developed a novel treatment and industrial fabrication process called coaxial electrospinning, aiming to address glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive brain cancer that accounts for over 50% of primary brain tumors.
Coaxial electrospinning involves the creation of drug-containing membranes, wherein two or more materials are combined to form a fine fiber structure. This fiber consists of a core material surrounded by a sheath material.
This fabrication process allows researchers to leverage the unique properties of each material, enabling the delivery of a potent dose of medication either immediately or over an extended period. By selecting the base materials and adjusting the sheath thickness, the release rate of the drugs can be controlled.
The electrospun fibers offer distinct advantages. For short-term treatments like pain relief or antibiotics, a single drug can be rapidly released. Simultaneously, another drug or drugs, such as chemotherapy, can be released gradually over a longer duration.
The fibers developed in this study took the form of tablet-like disks, which increased the amount of medicine that could be administered. Additionally, they reduced the initial burst release and enhanced the sustained release of the drugs over time.
To deliver the treatment, the device is directly implanted into the specific region of the brain from which the tumor has been surgically removed. Due to the need to bypass the blood-brain barrier, the dosage administered to the whole body must be significantly higher. However, this approach poses risks and potential toxic side effects.
One notable advantage of electrospinning is its ability to sequentially dispense multiple drugs for long-term release. Modern cancer treatments rely on a combination of drugs to prevent drug resistance and enhance effectiveness.
Unlike traditional chemotherapy, this innovative engineering process enables the safe and efficient delivery of an appropriate medication dosage for brain tumors, avoiding toxic side effects on patients.
Animal trials evaluating safety, toxicity, efficacy, and membrane degradation in conjunction with chemotherapy using electrospun fibers have demonstrated improved survival rates in three distinct experiments.
