In Vitro-In Vivo Correlation for the Degradation of Tetra-PEG Hydrogel Microspheres with Tunable β-Eliminative Crosslink Cleavage Rates

The degradation of Tetra-PEG hydrogels containing β-eliminative crosslinks has been studied in order to provide an in vitro-in vivo correlation for the use of these hydrogels in our chemically controlled drug delivery system. We measured time-dependent gel mass loss and ultrasound volume changes of 13 subcutaneously implanted Tetra-PEG hydrogel microspheres having degradation times ranging from ~3 to 250 days. Applying a previously developed model of Tetra-PEG hydrogel degradation, the mass changes correlate well with the in vitro rates of crosslink cleavage and hydrogel degelation. These results allow prediction of in vivo biodegradation properties of these hydrogels based on readily obtained in vitro rates, despite having degradation times that span 2 orders of magnitude. These results support the optimization of drug-releasing hydrogels and their development into long-acting therapeutics. The use of ultrasound volume measurements further provides a noninvasive technique for monitoring hydrogel degradation in the subcutaneous space.