Polylactide/polyethylene glycol fibrous mats for local paclitaxel delivery: comparison of drug release into liquid medium and to HEMA-based hydrogel model

2-Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) hydrogels containing 37% water were prepared to investigate the release of hydrophobic anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) from electrospun polylactide (PLA) fibrous mats. The impact of the incorporated amphiphilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the drug release was also studied. The release profiles were investigated in various arrangements and compared to release into aqueous media. The nanofibers with added PEG released significantly higher amounts of paclitaxel and for longer time period compared to fibers containing only the hydrophobic drug. When compared various release conditions, significantly higher amount of paclitaxel released to hydrogel compared to aqueous media. HEMA-based hydrogel was found to better approximate in vivo conditions in comparison with commonly used liquid media. Graphic abstract:

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