Novel PVA-based hydrogel microparticles for doxorubicin delivery

Micro- and nanoparticles are considered suitable drug delivery systems for their unique features, such as a large surface to volume ratio, and for the possibility to tune their size and hydrophobicity'. A polymer/polymer/water emulsion method was used for producing a chemically cross-linked hydrogel made of poly(vinyl alcohol) and of poly(methacrylate) moieties. Mesoscopic investigation of the microparticles was accomplished by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Dynamics of confined water within the gel meshes was studied by quasi-elastic incoherent neutron scattering. Succinoylation of these particles allowed an efficient loading with a maximum doxorubicin payload of about 50% (w/w) of dry microparticles. To evaluate the potentials of such a microdevice for drug delivery, LoVo colon cancer cells have been exposed to doxorubicin loaded microparticles to study the in vitro efficiency of the payload release and the consequent cytotoxic effect.