title: Nanochannel technology for constant delivery of chemotherapeutics: beyond metronomic administration.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the long-term, controlled, zero-order release of low- and high-molecular weight chemotherapeutics through nanochannel membranes by exploiting the molecule-to-surface interactions presented by nanoconfinement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Silicon membranes were produced with nanochannels of 5, 13 and 20 nm using standardized industrial microfabrication techniques. The study of the diffusion kinetics of interferon α-2b and leuprolide was performed by employing UV diffusion chambers. The released amount in the sink reservoir was monitored by UV absorbance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Continuous zero-order release was demonstrated for interferon α-2b and leuprolide at release rates of 20 and 100 μg/day, respectively. The release rates exhibited by these membranes were verified to be in ranges suitable for human therapeutic applications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our membranes potentially represent a viable nanotechnological approach for the controlled administration of chemotherapeutics intended to improve the therapeutic efficacy of treatment and reduce many of the side effects associated with conventional drug administration.
authors.affiliation: Department of NanoMedicine and Biomedical Engineering (nBME), The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grattoni
authors.forename: Haifa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fine
authors.forename: Arturas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ziemys
authors.forename: Jaskaran S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: Sharath
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hosali
authors.forename: Randy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goodall
authors.forename: Xuewu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferrari
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004058:Diffusion; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016729:Leuprolide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010316:Particle Size; D011994:Recombinant Proteins
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016729:Leuprolide