# Focal Sustained Release Chemotherapy-Loaded Biomaterials at Tumor Sites

> **NIH NIH R01** · TUFTS UNIVERSITY MEDFORD · 2021 · $342,398

## Abstract

Summary – Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial tumor in childhood, with poor clinical outcomes
for high-risk patients using systemic, multi-drug chemotherapy followed by surgical resection. There is a strong
clinical need for new approaches to chemotherapy administration due to poor outcomes and secondary organ
toxicities with long-term negative consequences particularly in children. The goal of this proposal is to develop
focal drug delivery systems that can be applied within the tumor or over a post-resection tumor bed. The
hypothesis is that local delivery coupled with sustained drug release using silk protein-based biomaterial
sponges and films (implantable) or gels (injectable) will provide new therapeutic strategies for high-risk
neuroblastoma patients while reducing systemic side effects. We will build upon our extensive prior experience
and success using silk biomaterials for sustained drug release to optimize local tumor treatment while
minimizing the impact on healthy tissue. This will include targeting tumor drug concentration to match or
exceed clinical blood levels on a sustained basis, as well as exploiting directional diffusion to further improve
targeting to the tumor site versus healthy tissue. The focus will be on delivering cytotoxic chemotherapeutic
agents (doxorubicin, vincristine, etoposide-4'-phosphate, cisplatin) in both single and dual drug-loaded delivery
systems using silk biomaterials. These silk delivery systems will be assessed in vitro for impact on
neuroblastoma cell lines and in vivo using an orthotopic tumor models generated from neuroblastoma cell lines
and patient-derived xenografts. Drug release kinetics and toxicity will be assessed in the animal models to
assess the impact of local drug release on tumor growth as well as pharmacokinetics and toxicity in tissue
compartments. All studies are supported by extensive preliminary data and represent a collaborative team
consisting of a bioengineer (Kaplan) with expertise with the biomaterials and drug delivery and a physician
(Chiu) who focuses on neuroblastoma treatments.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10086112
- **Project number:** 5R01NS094218-05
- **Recipient organization:** TUFTS UNIVERSITY MEDFORD
- **Principal Investigator:** Bill Chiu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $342,398
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-02-01 → 2021-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10086112

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10086112, Focal Sustained Release Chemotherapy-Loaded Biomaterials at Tumor Sites (5R01NS094218-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10086112. Licensed CC0.

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