Controlled release of paclitaxel from photocrosslinked chitosan hydrogels and its subsequent effect on subcutaneous tumor growth in mice

A photocrosslinkable chitosan (Az–CH–LA) aqueous solution containing paclitaxel resulted in an insoluble hydrogel within 30 s of ultrtaviolet light (UV)-irradiation. About 35–40% of the paclitaxel was released from the paclitaxel-incorporated chitosan hydrogel into phosphate buffered saline (PBS) within 1 day, after which gradual release occurred during 3 days under in vitro non-degradation conditions of the hydrogel. The paclitaxel remaining in the chitosan hydrogel retained its biological activity in vitro for at least 21 days, and was released from the chitosan hydrogel in vivo upon degradation of the hydrogel. The paclitaxel-incorporated Az–CH–LA hydrogel inhibited the growth of subcutaneously induced tumors with Lewis lung cancer (3LL) cells more effectively than those treated with only Az–CH–LA, only paclitaxel, and a non-treated group (control) for at least 11 days. Furthermore, paclitaxel-incorporated chitosan hydrogel markedly reduced the number of CD34-positive vessels in subcutaneous 3LL tumors, indicating a strong inhibition of angiogenesis. These results suggested that application of paclitaxel-incorporated Az–CH–LA hydrogel has an inhibitory activity on angiogenesis and tumor growth.