title: Fabrication of drug-loaded polymer microparticles with arbitrary geometries using a piezoelectric inkjet printing system.
abstract: Carrier geometry is a key parameter of drug delivery systems and has significant impact on the drug release rate and interaction with cells and tissues. Here we present a piezoelectric inkjet printing system as a simple and convenient approach for fabrication of drug-loaded polymer microparticles with well-defined and controlled shapes. The physical properties of paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) inks, such as volatility, viscosity and surface tension, were optimized for piezoelectric inkjet printing, and PTX-loaded PLGA microparticles were fabricated with various geometries, such as circles, grids, honeycombs, and rings. The resulting microparticles with 10% (w/w) PTX exhibited a fairly homogeneous shape and size. The microparticle fabrication by piezoelectric inkjet printing was precise, reproducible, and highly favorable for mass production. The microparticles exhibited a biphasic release profile with an initial burst due to diffusion and a subsequent, slow second phase due to degradation of PLGA. The release rate was dependent on the geometry, mainly the surface area, with a descending rate order of honeycomb>grid, ring>circle. The PTX-loaded microparticles showed a comparable activity in inhibiting the growth of HeLa cells. Our results demonstrate that a piezoelectric inkjet printing system would provide a new approach for large-scale manufacturing of drug carriers with a desired geometry.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi-do 426-791, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Kook
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Yeon Hee
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Ji Suk
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Young Chan
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Jae Dong
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Yong Woo
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Cho
mesh_terms: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003124:Colorimetry; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D005079:Excipients; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D007281:Ink; D007700:Kinetics; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D053758:Nanoparticles; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010316:Particle Size; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D012995:Solubility; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: C110656:2-(4-iodophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D005079:Excipients; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D017239:Paclitaxel