Design of gefitinib-loaded PLGA microspheres via microfluidics for lung cancer

Abstract

Lung cancer is one of the most prevalent tumors with rapid progression and poor prognosis, which badly affects human physical and mental health. Although traditional anti-cancer therapies, such as chemotherapy and radiation, have demonstrated some degree of effectiveness in treating tumors, they remain encumbered by the frequent, uncontrollable, and large dosage of drug administration. Here, we introduced the Gefitinib-loaded PLGA microspheres generated from microfluidics for lung cancer therapy. The microspheres had a homogeneous shape and a high drug loading rate. Studies have shown that PLGA microspheres not only provided greater loading efficiency and sustained release of gefitinib but also protected the drug from rapid breakdown. The results of animal experiments also showed that the drug-loaded microspheres could achieve or even outperform the efficiency of daily medication with less frequency. Therefore, it is foreseen that PLGA microspheres will have great potential in developing therapies for lung cancer.

Keywords

• Microfluidics
• Gefitinib
• Targeted therapy
• Sustained release
• PLGA