The effects of the electric fields on hydrogels to achieve antitumoral drug release

Abstract

The achievement of electrochemotherapy was obtained using electrodes covered with guar gum (GG) hydrogel swollen in a sulfate bleomycin solution. The bleomycin delivery into the plasma membranes of cancer cells occurs only when field strength (V/cm) was applied, decreasing the drug contact with healthy tissues. The effect of the delivered bleomycin at different concentrations was examined on tumoral mouse fibroblast (NIH3T3) and human coronary artery endothelial cells. The GG hydrogel released the drug only when the field strength was applied and the amount depended on the electromotive force. Consequently, cellular survival depended on the field strength. Moreover in vitro results showed a bigger cellular mortality of the NIH3T3 compared with endothelial cells. The best parameters to be utilized in electrochemotherapy were ascertained.