Injectable in situ forming drug delivery system for cancer chemotherapy using a novel tissue adhesive: Characterization and in vitro evaluation

Injectable polymers that are biocompatible and biodegradable are important biomaterials for drug delivery system (DDS) and tissue engineering. We have already developed novel tissue adhesives consisting of biomacromolecules and organic acid derivatives with active ester groups. The resulting tissue adhesive forms in situ as a gel and has high bonding strength for living tissue as well as it has good biocompatibility and biodegradability. Here, we report on the physicochemical properties and in vitro evaluation of this novel tissue adhesive consisting of human serum albumin (HSA) and tartaric acid derivative (TAD) containing doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). The results of the measurement of physicochemical characteristics indicate that the gelation time and gel strength of HSA–TAD gels can be controlled according to the material composition. The bonding strength of HSA–TAD adhesives was found to be sufficient to adhere at focus and to correspond with the cross-linking density of HSA–TAD gels. Furthermore, the release of DOX from HSA–TAD gels was sustained for approximately 100 h in an in vitro evaluation. The novel tissue adhesive, therefore, is expected to be applicable for use as an injectable in situ forming DDS.