Numerical Study Of Thermally Targeted Liposomal Drug Delivery In Tumor

The efficacy of cancer chemotherapeutics can be greatly enhanced by thermally targeted nano-particle liposome drug delivery system. Since hyperthermia can improve the permeability of tumor vessels to liposomal drugs, improve blood flow and improve cellular uptake of drugs. Based on our previous experimental results, a new theoretical model was developed to study the spatial and transient drug distribution. In this model, the tumor was divided into two regions: peripheral tumor with abundant capillaries and central tumor without capillary. The tumor microvasculature permeability to the nanoliposomes, the influence of drug induced tumor cell apoptosis and necrosis on drug penetration are all considered in this model.Upon the experimental validation, the model was used to simulate drug distribution in the tumor under hyperthermic condition. Results showed that hyperthermia alone only enhanced drug accumulation in the tumor periphery of a tumor with 1cm in radius. Tumor cells in the central region are hardly damaged due to the lack of drug diffusion. Besides,the rupture rate of liposome and drug induced cell necrosis and apoptosis significantly influence the drug transport and distribution in tumor.The combined radiofrequency thermal ablation and liposomal doxorubicin drug delivery for larger tumors has also been studied using the developed model and the treatment results are predicted.