Team 3
DrugSlug: A Novel Hydrogel Drug Delivery System for Melanoma Treatment
DrugSlug: A Novel Hydrogel Drug Delivery System for Melanoma Treatment
Team Members: Smita Gopalakrishnan, Esther Sim, Emily Tanner - SBHSE
Team Mentors: Dr. Brent Vernon - SBHSE
Eric Nguyen - Creighton University School of Medicine
YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting
Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/98714379362
Abstract
Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer in the United States, with ~9,500 individuals diagnosed daily. One of the deadliest types of skin cancer is melanoma, which accounts for ~1% of all skin cancers, but causes the highest number of deaths in the U.S. The main treatment option for melanoma is surgical excision of the tumor; however, one of the predominant risks for patients is the post-surgical re-emergence of cancerous cells. One solution to this issue is to administer drugs to the patient, via ingestion of Temozolomide, which is an oral version of dacarbazine, the predominant drug for melanoma treatment. However, this method is not flawless, as systemic ingestion of drugs can lead to unwanted side effects in the patient’s body. As a response to this issue, other drug delivery systems have emerged. These systems, which typically involve liposomes, nanoparticles, and hydrogels, are especially prevalent in cancer research. However, the majority of these systems are only single use, which results in a significant amount of waste, in addition to driving up the price of drug delivery systems. Another issue that emerges with these systems is the inability to control drug dosage, which can result in ineffective drug delivery due to low dosage or unsafe drug delivery due to high dosage. As such, there is a critical need in the melanoma treatment market for a drug delivery system that is localized, multi-use, and controlled.
Our solution is DrugSlug, a topical hydrogel-based drug delivery system that will minimize the cost of melanoma treatment and enhance the precision of drug delivery. Our device incorporates the following specifications to address the issues of traditional drug delivery systems: stimuli-sensitivity, multi-release capabilities, controlled drug diffusion rate, biocompatibility, and cost efficiency. DrugSlug is (1) placed topically on the patient’s skin near a lesion site, (2) treated with ultrasound to trigger controlled drug release, and (3) designed to return to its original state once ultrasound stimulus is removed, allowing multiple treatments with a single unit. DrugSlug is composed of a supersaturated drug reservoir, mesh channels, and small temperature-sensitive PNIPAM-PEGDA hydrogels that are contained within these channels. Because the hydrogels are temperature sensitive, the user’s physician can control hydrogel shrinkage using an ultrasound machine, which produces heat during use and is commonly available in clinics and hospitals. In the absence of a temperature stimulus, the hydrogels will act as a “gate” and block drug flow. However, when stimulated using ultrasound, the hydrogels shrink due to a resultant temperature change, allowing for controlled drug delivery. Once the stimuli is removed, the hydrogels swells back to its original size, thus allowing our system to be used multiple times over the course of weeks. Additionally, due to the topical nature of the system, we are able to ensure localization of the drug, which will minimize the risk of side effects that often occur when drugs are delivered systemically. Overall, DrugSlug offers a novel method for topical drug delivery that addresses many of the critical issues associated with traditional drug delivery.
