The efficacy of methotrexate-impregnated hydroxyapatite composites on human mammary carcinoma cells.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the efficacy of local biodegradable composites of hydroxyapatite, plaster of Paris, and a binder of either alginate or chitosan impregnated with methotrexate on human mammary carcinoma cells.


METHODS
An in vitro analysis of drug dissolution and a cytotoxicity test on human mammary carcinoma cells were performed over one month. Physicochemical properties of each composite were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.


RESULTS
Both composites with a binder of either alginate or chitosan could release methotrexate for over one month. The amount of methotrexate released depended on the amount of methotrexate loaded. The composite using alginate as a binder released a significantly greater amount of methotrexate than that using chitosan as a binder (p<0.05). The elution of both composites showed favourable cytotoxicity when the concentration was greater than 5 microg/ml.


CONCLUSIONS
Methotrexate-impregnated hydroxyapatite composites appear to be effective local skeletal methotrexate delivery systems against human mammary carcinoma cells in an in vitro model.
Vechasilp
J
J
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Physical Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.
Tangtrakulwanich
B
B
Oungbho
K
K
Yuenyongsawad
S
S
D000464:Alginates; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D048271:Chitosan; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006801:Humans; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000464:Alginates; D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006882:Hydroxyapatites; D048271:Chitosan; D002133:Calcium Sulfate; D008727:Methotrexate