Alginate-Based Delivery Systems For Bevacizumab Local Therapy: In Vitro Stuctural Features And Release Properties.

Alginate-based polyelectrolytes complexes (PECs) and hydrogel were engineered as platforms for local bevacizumab (BVZ) therapy. This study provides deep comprehension on the microstructures of such systems, and their correlation with drug release patterns. PECs and hydrogel were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and porosimetry. Structural investigations indicated that PECs are formed by supramolecular interactions, resulting in physically crosslinked polymer networks, while the bevacizumab-loaded hydrogel has a more compact and rigid structure, promoting better entrapment of BVZ. PECs and hydrogel were able to control the BVZ release for four and eight days, respectively. Their release profiles correlated best with the Higuchi and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, respectively, indicating drug diffusion as the limiting step for drug release. Furthermore, BVZ remained biologically active in vitro after its incorporation into the hydrogel system. Together, these studies confirm that PECs and hydrogel exhibit different porous structures and physicochemical properties, making them promising platforms that allow the modulation of bevacizumab release meeting different requirements.