Presenter: Emma Thiboutot

Faculty Sponsor: Tracie L. Ferreira

School: UMass Dartmouth

Research Area: Biomedical Engineering

Session: Poster Session 4, 2:15 PM - 3:00 PM, Auditorium, A77

ABSTRACT

This study, “Formulation of Smart Hydrogels with Embedded Microparticles for Targeted Melanoma Treatment,” demonstrates the successful development and characterization of genipin cross-linked PVA-chitosan hydrogels embedded with light-responsive PLGA microparticles for the potential application in localized melanoma therapy. The problem discussed within this proposed project is melanoma skin cancer, with a focus on its impact and the current treatment options available, including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgical interventions, all of which are invasive and often reduce the quality of life. The proposed solution is to develop a novel hydrogel system loaded with PLGA-formulated microparticles that include a mixture of either/and the anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin, or an NIR-responsive dye, indocyanine green, to treat melanoma skin cancer non-invasively with SMART-laser activated drug-releasing hydrogels. The project’s goal is to prove that these hydrogels can effectively target and eliminate melanoma cells with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissues. Structural analysis via SEM confirmed the presence of pores, with the drug incorporation controlling the distribution, while TGA and DSC revealed that drug loading altered the thermal stability and phase behavior of the hydrogels, and tensile testing confirmed that the mechanical integrity was retained after cross-linking. Swelling studies conducted in ultra-pure water, PBS, and DMEM highlighted altered swelling capacity due to drug and polymer interactions. Importantly, the AlamarBlue assays confirmed the biocompatibility of PVA-chitosan alone, while DOX and ICG-loaded formulations, especially the samples exposed to NIR, showed significant cytotoxicity toward melanoma cells, demonstrating enhanced photothermal or chemotherapeutic impact and supporting therapeutic potential.