Potential use of gelcasting hydroxyapatite porous ceramic as an implantable drug delivery system

Hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic in a porous configuration is suggested as a dru g release system. A new technique for the production of this material, base d on the foaming of suspensions and in situ polymerization (gelcasting meth od), resulted in a material whose characteristics are likely to make it use ful as an implantable drug delivery system. Three batches of HA ceramic wit h different porosities were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Pore size and shape as well as density were det ermined. In vitro experiments were performed in order to evaluate the disso lution behavior of cisplatin in the system. X-ray diffraction analysis show ed that the final product consisted of a single phase, indicating that the sintering process had not affected the structure of the HA. Energy dispersi ve X-ray analysis (EDX) showed absence of impurities. Pore diameters were i n the range 15-34 mum. SEM showed that the material presented a highly inte rconnected spheroidal porous network with open micropores and closed macrop ores. In vitro experiments showed significant differences in the release ra te of cisplatin between three different porosities. (C) 2001 Elsevier Scien ce B.V. All rights reserved.