Long-Term Small Molecule and Protein Elution from TiO2 Nanotubes

In this study, TiO2 nanotubes of various dimensions were used to elute albumin, a large protein molecule, as well as sirolimus and paclitaxel, common small molecule drugs. The nanotubes controlled small molecule diffusion for weeks and large molecule diffusion for a month. Drug eluted from the nanotubes was bioactive and decreased cell proliferation in vitro. Elution kinetics was most profoundly affected by tube height. This study demonstrates that TiO2 nanotubes may be a promising candidate for a drug-eluting implant coating.