Removal of retained electrospinning solvent prolongs drug release from electrospun PLLA fibers. (11th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: D'Amato, Anthony R.; Schaub, Nicholas J.; Cardenas, Jesus M.; Fiumara, Andrew S.; Troiano, Paul M.; Fischetti, Andrea; Gilbert, Ryan J.
• Is Part Of: Polymer. Volume 123(2017)
• Page Start: 121
• Page End: 127
• Publication Date: 2017-08-11
• Subjects: Drug delivery -- Biomaterials -- Electrospun fibers; Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; Polymères -- Périodiques; Polymérisation -- Périodiques; 547.7
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2017.07.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-3861

Abstract

Abstract: A major challenge in developing drug-releasing electrospun nanofibers is obtaining long-term drug release over many weeks with no burst release of drug. Here, we present new methods capable of prolonging the diffusive release of small molecule drugs from electrospun poly-l -lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibers. The methods focus on removal of retained electrospinning solvent through fiber heating, maintaining fibers in a laboratory setting, or a combination of these methods. These post-fabrication methods altered the release characteristics of a model small molecule drug, 6-aminonicotinamide (6AN), from PLLA fibers. Specifically, untreated fibers released 6AN over 9 days, and fibers that underwent a combined treatment of maintenance in a laboratory setting and heating released 6AN over 44 days. The unique and simple method presented here prolongs diffusive release of a small molecule drug from electrospun fibers and has potential to assist in lengthening small molecule drug release from a variety of polymeric nanomaterials. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Solvent removal from electrospun PLLA fibers prolonged release of the drug 6AN ∼5-fold. Solvent removal treatment increased amount of 6AN released ∼2-fold. Different 6AN release kinetics due to changes in solvent-induced free volume/crystallinity.