5-Fluorouracil-loaded poly-l-lactide fibrous membrane for the prevention of intestinal stent restenosis

Restenosis instents is often reported in the longterm treatment of tumor-associated intestinal stenosis because conventional stents lack a sustainable antitumor capability. The aim of this study was to develop a drug-loaded poly-l-lactide fibrous membrane onto the surface of stents for the alleviation of intestinal restenosis. A polydioxanone stent was weft-knitted and then 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-loaded poly-l-lactide membranes at concentration of 1.6, 6.4, and 12.8 %, respectively, were electro-spun onto the stent surface. The coating membrane morphology, chemical structure, and drug release property in vitro were examined. The antitumor activity in vitro was assessed with MTT assay using a human colorectal cancer cell line HCT-116. The results showed that the chemical structure of the drug was completed through electrospinning process. The drug release behavior was enhanced when the drug loading percentage increased. The 6.4 and 12.8 % membranes had better antitumor effects than pure 5-fluorouracil at half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) because of the sustainable drug releasing property of the membranes. In conclusion, the membranes at appropriate drug-loading dose such as 6.4 or 12.8 % had significant for the drug release capabilities and antitumor effect. The coating membrane can find promising clinical applications for the treatment of intestinal cancers in the future.