Time-programmed dual release formulation by multilayered drug-loaded nanofiber meshes

To develop a drug carrier that enables time-programmed dual release in a single formulation, multilayered drug-loaded biodegradable nanofiber meshes were designed using sequential electrospinning with the following construction: (i) first drug-loaded mesh (top), (ii) barrier mesh, (iii) second drug-loaded mesh, and (iv) basement mesh (bottom). The drug release speed and duration were controlled by designing morphological features of the electrospun meshes such as the fiber diameter and mesh thickness. Control of the timed release of the second drug-the retardation period-was accomplished by appropriate design of the barrier mesh thickness. An in vitro release experiment demonstrated that the tetra-layered construction described above with appropriate morphological features of each component mesh can provide timed dual release of the respective drugs. The time-programmed dual release system using the multilayered electrospun nanofiber meshes was demonstrated as a useful formulation for advanced multidrug combination therapy requiring regiospecific administration of different drugs at different times. The potential use of the present multilayered formulation is discussed for application to biochemical modulation as one administrative strategy for use in sequential chemotherapy employing multiple anti-tumor drugs. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.