In situ hydrogelation of photocurable gelatin and drug release.

We devised an in situ tissue-adhesive, drug-release technology based on a photoreactive gelatin, which allows in situ drug-incorporated gel formation on living tissues and sustained drug release directly on diseased tissues. Styrene-derivatized gelatins, synthesized by condensation reaction of gelatin with 4-vinylbenzoic acid, were photopolymerized in the presence of a water-soluble camphorquinone derivative as a photoinitiator upon visible-light irradiation to form swollen gels. Using albumin as a drug model, gelation characteristics and drug-release characteristics easily were manipulated by material variables, formulation variables, and operation variables. Tissue adhesivity of the gel was superior to that of fibrin glue. The biologic response, which was evaluated by intraperitoneal implantation in rats, showed that the gel was biodegraded and biosorbed, without cytotoxicity, within a few months after implantation. An in situ processable tissue-adhesive local drug release system effectively may be used to help inhibit tumor recurrence. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 59: 233-245, 2002