A Time-Programmed Release of Dual Drugs from an Implantable Trilayer Structured Fiber Device for Synergistic Treatment of Breast Cancer

Combination chemotherapy with time-programmed administration of multiple drugs is a promising method for cancer treatment. However, realizing time-programmed release of combined drugs from a single carrier is still a great challenge in enhanced cancer therapy. Here, an implantable trilayer structured fiber device is developed to achieve time-programmed release of combined drugs for synergistic treatment of breast cancer. The fiber device is prepared by a modified microfluidic-electrospinning technique. The glycerol solution containing chemotherapy agent doxorubicin (Dox) forms the internal periodic cavities of the fiber, and poly(l-lactic acid) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) containing the angiogenesis inhibitor apatinib (Apa) form the double walls of the fiber. Rapid release of Dox can be obtained by adjusting the wall thickness of the cavities, meanwhile sustained release of Apa is achieved through the slow degradation of the fiber matrix. After the fiber device is implanted subcutaneously near to the implanted solid tumor of mice, an excellent synergistic therapeutic effect is achieved through time-programmed release of the combined dual drugs. The fiber device provides a platform to sequentially co-deliver dual or multiple drugs for enhanced combined therapeutic efficacy.