Multifunctional Patch Systems for Breast Cancer Treatment

Breast cancer, although treatable in its early stages with available chemotherapy drugs, remains a significant challenge in the field of oncology due to treatment difficulties, high risk of recurrence, and increased metastasis development, particularly in advanced stages. There is a pressing need in oncology for efficient therapies that provide long-term protection against cancer recurrence. However, the clinical application of chemotherapy drugs is hindered by the lack of efficient drug delivery systems, resulting in diminished treatment success and severe side effects that negatively impact patients' quality of life. In this study, we present the development of a multi-functional patch system for both short-term and long-term treatment of breast cancer. The patch system comprises two components: drug-loaded nanoparticles dedicated to the therapy and antigen epitope-loaded polymer patches designed to enhance the immune response against potential recurrence. These patches are fabricated using Solution Blow Spinning (SBS), a technique that utilizes a biodegradable polymer for the controlled release of growth factors alongside the drug-loaded nanoparticles. To evaluate the patch's degradation properties, degradation tests are performed by incubating the fabricated patch in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and a lysosome-mimicking solution (LMS). The morphology of the fibers is assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after the spinning process, as well as after the degradation process. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) is employed to analyze changes in the chemical composition of the fibers. To monitor the release of antigen epitopes from the patches and drugs from the nanoparticles, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is employed. Furthermore, in vitro studies are conducted to assess the effectiveness of the patches in stimulating the immune system. Overall, this study presents a promising approach to address the challenges associated with breast cancer treatment. The development of a multi-functional patch system that combines drug delivery and immune response enhancement may pave the way for more efficient therapies and improved outcomes for patients with breast cancer.