title: Novel pH sensitive ferrogels as new approach in cancer treatment: Effect of the magnetic field on swelling and drug delivery.
abstract: Ferrogels (or magnetic hydrogels) are cross-linked polymer networks containing magnetic nanoparticles: they are mechanically soft and highly elastic and at the same time they exhibit a strong magnetic response. Our work focuses on an combinatorial strategy to improve the efficacy of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) assisted chemotherapy, by developing novel multifunctional pH-sensitive ferrogels. We designed gels based on N,N'-dimethylacrylamide monomers polymerized in presence of methacrylic acid or 2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride, containing ferro-nanoparticles. The influence of polymeric matrix composition and exposition to magnetic field (MF) on swelling behavior and drugs release were investigated at pH 7.4 and 5. In particular, the magnetic field was obtained by using permanent magnetic bar (0.25 T) or electromagnet (0.5 and 1.2 T), with the aim to analyze quantitatively the magnetic effects. A strong influence of the magnetic field on ferrogels properties have been observed. Swelling analysis indicated a dependence on both pH and network composition, reaching a maximum at pH 7.4, for formulations containing methacrylic acid, while the application of MF appeared to decrease the swelling percentages. Release profiles of 5-FU showed effective modulation in release by application of MF: drug release is always higher in the presence of a magnetic field and generally increases with its intensity. The combining effect of pH sensitive properties and application of MF improved the performance of the systems. Results showed that our ferrogels may be technologically applicable as devices for delivery of 5-FU in a controllable manner.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutrition Sciences, Calabria University, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87,036 Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muzzalupo
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutrition Sciences, Calabria University, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87,036 Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tavano
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical technologies, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 14/D - 87,036 Rende, Italy. Electronic address: cesare.oliviero@unical.it.
authors.forename: Cesare Oliviero
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutrition Sciences, Calabria University, Edificio Polifunzionale, 87,036 Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Nevio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Picci
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical technologies, University of Calabria, Via P. Bucci, Cubo 14/D - 87,036 Rende, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe Antonio
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Ranieri
mesh_terms: D004337:Drug Carriers; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005782:Gels; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008280:Magnetics; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D005782:Gels; D005472:Fluorouracil
keywords: 5-FU; Anticancer therapy; Magnetic effect; pH-sensitive ferrogel