Stereotactic core needle breast biopsy marker migration: An analysis of factors contributing to immediate marker migration.

Objectives: To evaluate breast biopsy marker migration in stereotactic core needle biopsy procedures and identify contributing factors.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed 268 stereotactic biopsy markers placed in 263 consecutive patients undergoing stereotactic biopsies using 9G vacuum-assisted devices from August 2010-July 2013. Mammograms were reviewed and factors contributing to marker migration were evaluated.

Mechanoresponsive materials for drug delivery: Harnessing forces for controlled release.

Mechanically-activated delivery systems harness existing physiological and/or externally-applied forces to provide spatiotemporal control over the release of active agents. Current strategies to deliver therapeutic proteins and drugs use three types of mechanical stimuli: compression, tension, and shear. Based on the intended application, each stimulus requires specific material selection, in terms of substrate composition and size (e.

Self-assembly of a 5-fluorouracil-dipeptide hydrogel.

The self-assembly of 5-fluorouracil dilysine conjugates into self-supporting hydrogels, comprised of entangled nanofibers or rigid nanotubes with diameters of 10 and 16 nm, respectively, is reported. The rate of release of 5-Fu from the conjugates was highly dependent on concentration in solution, whereas, release from the fully formed hydrogels was significantly slower. The 5-Fu conjugate also exhibited promising in vitro cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines A549, H460 and H23.

Stretch-Induced Drug Delivery from Superhydrophobic Polymer Composites: Use of Crack Propagation Failure Modes for Controlling Release Rates.

The concept of using crack propagation in polymeric materials to control drug release and its first demonstration are reported. The composite drug delivery system consists of highly-textured superhydrophobic electrosprayed microparticle coatings, composed of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers poly(caprolactone) and poly(glycerol monostearate carbonate-co-caprolactone), and a cellulose/polyester core. The release of entrapped agents is controlled by the magnitude of applied strain, resulting in a graded response from water infiltration through the propagating patterned cracks in the coating.

Prevention of lung cancer recurrence using cisplatin-loaded superhydrophobic nanofiber meshes.

For early stage lung cancer patients, local cancer recurrence after surgical resection is a significant concern and stems from microscopic disease left behind after surgery. Here we apply a local drug delivery strategy to combat local lung cancer recurrence after resection using non-woven, biodegradable nanofiber meshes loaded with cisplatin. The meshes are fabricated using a scalable electrospinning process from two biocompatible polymers--polycaprolactone and poly(glycerol monostearate-co-caprolactone)--to afford favorable mechanical properties for use in a dynamic tissue such as the lung.

Polymer film-nanoparticle composites as new multimodality, non-migrating breast biopsy markers.

Objectives: To develop a breast biopsy marker that resists fast and slow migration and has permanent visibility under commonly used imaging modalities.

Methods: A polymer-nanoparticle composite film was prepared by embedding superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and a superelastic Nitinol wire within a flexible polyethylene matrix. MRI, mammography, and ultrasound were used to visualize the marker in agar, ex vivo chicken breast, bovine liver, brisket, and biopsy training phantoms.

The self-assembly of anticancer camptothecin-dipeptide nanotubes: a minimalistic and high drug loading approach to increased efficacy.

20-(S)-Camptothecin (CPT)-conjugated dipeptides are reported that preassemble into nanotubes with diameters ranging from 80-120 nm. These nanoassemblies maintain a high (∼47 %) drug loading and exhibit greater drug stability (i.e.

Imparting superhydrophobicity to biodegradable poly(lactide-co-glycolide) electrospun meshes.

The synthesis of a family of new poly(lactic acid-co-glycerol monostearate) (PLA-PGC18) copolymers and their use as biodegradable polymer dopants is reported to enhance the hydrophobicity of poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nonwoven meshes. Solutions of PLGA are doped with PLA-PGC18 and electrospun to form meshes with micrometer-sized fibers. Fiber diameter, percent doping, and copolymer composition influence the nonwetting nature of the meshes and alter their mechanical (tensile) properties.