Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Kaitlyn D Ybanez
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Discipline/Specialty (Author 1)
Cancer and Immunology
Academic Level (Author 2)
Post-doc
Discipline/Specialty (Author 2)
Cancer and Immunology
Academic Level (Author 3)
Staff
Discipline/Specialty (Author 3)
Cancer and Immunology
Academic Level (Author 4)
Post-doc
Discipline/Specialty (Author 4)
Cancer and Immunology
Academic Level (Author 5)
Staff
Discipline/Specialty (Author 5)
Cancer and Immunology
Discipline Track
Biomedical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Novel hydrogel-based drug delivery systems integrating 𝛾-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (𝛾-CD-MOFs) have recently been developed to overcome the hydrophobicity and poor bioavailability of certain chemotherapeutic drugs. Thermosensitive Pluronic F-127 hydrogels can deliver 𝛾-CD-MOFs to target sites, promoting sustained and regulated drug release, especially for mucosal adhesion scenarios as warranted in cervical cancer. This study presents the development of a formulation that encapsulates curcumin, a model anticancer agent, into a Pluronic F-127 Hydrogel + 𝛾-CD-MOFs to enhance dispersion and enable sitespecific gelation at physiological temperatures (37°C).
Methods: Curcumin-loaded 𝛾-CD-MOFs were synthesized by dissolving 𝛾-CD (1.0 mmol, 1.30 g) and KOH (8.0 mmol, 0.449 g) in 20 mL of Milli-Q water, followed by the addition of 5 mg of powdered curcumin and stirring for 10 minutes. The 𝛾-CD/KOH/curcumin solution underwent methanol vapor diffusion for 3-4 days to promote crystallization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) captured images at 10 μm, 20 μm, and 50 μm across three positions to analyze particle morphology of 𝛾-CD-MOF components. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra characterized interactions between curcumin, 𝛾-CD, KOH, 𝛾-CD-MOF, and curcumin 𝛾-CD-MOF. Thermal imaging assessed heat retention of hydrogel samples exposed at 25°C, 37°C, and 45°C using a FLIR ONE Pro thermal imaging camera. Sol-gel transition temperatures were measured using the tube inversion method for Pluronic F-127 concentrations (0.25-1% w/v) to evaluate injectability and thermoresponsive behavior.
Results: Free curcumin remained insoluble in distilled water, as evidenced by visible precipitation, while the curcumin CD-MOF solution resulted in a relatively yellowish and transparent solution, indicating the improvement of water solubility of curcumin. SEM images confirm homogenous morphology of curcumin into the 𝛾-CD-MOF compared to raw components, indicating successful formulation. FTIR indicated molecular interactions confirming encapsulation. Thermal sensitivity of hydrogels from 25 °C to 37°C confirms effective thermoresponsive behavior of Pluronic F127, making it ideal for drug depot formation due to in situ gelation at body temperature. However, dye diffusion assays revealed a high internal diffusion rate, suggesting a faster-thandesired release profile.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that 𝛾-CD-MOFs enhance curcumin solubility and that Pluronic F-127 hydrogels respond effectively to physiological temperature. Despite the formulation’s structural and physicochemical success, rapid diffusion rates indicate some limitations for localized therapy and potential for off-target effects. Therefore, we propose that this system may be better suited for sustained, rather than localized, release applications. Future directions include optimizing the gel matrix density and evaluating cytotoxic effects in SiHa cervical cancer cells.
Presentation Type
Poster
Recommended Citation
Ybanez, Kaitlyn D.; Tiwari, Rahul; De Los Santos, Joel; Minocha, Tarun; Jimenez, Bianca; Chauhan, Subhash; and Yallapu, Murali, "Development of Metal-Organic Framework-Based Formulation for Cancer Therapeutics" (2025). Research Colloquium. 53.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2025/posters/53
Included in
Biomedical and Dental Materials Commons, Complex Mixtures Commons, Nanomedicine Commons, Pharmaceutical Preparations Commons
Development of Metal-Organic Framework-Based Formulation for Cancer Therapeutics
Background: Novel hydrogel-based drug delivery systems integrating 𝛾-cyclodextrin metal-organic frameworks (𝛾-CD-MOFs) have recently been developed to overcome the hydrophobicity and poor bioavailability of certain chemotherapeutic drugs. Thermosensitive Pluronic F-127 hydrogels can deliver 𝛾-CD-MOFs to target sites, promoting sustained and regulated drug release, especially for mucosal adhesion scenarios as warranted in cervical cancer. This study presents the development of a formulation that encapsulates curcumin, a model anticancer agent, into a Pluronic F-127 Hydrogel + 𝛾-CD-MOFs to enhance dispersion and enable sitespecific gelation at physiological temperatures (37°C).
Methods: Curcumin-loaded 𝛾-CD-MOFs were synthesized by dissolving 𝛾-CD (1.0 mmol, 1.30 g) and KOH (8.0 mmol, 0.449 g) in 20 mL of Milli-Q water, followed by the addition of 5 mg of powdered curcumin and stirring for 10 minutes. The 𝛾-CD/KOH/curcumin solution underwent methanol vapor diffusion for 3-4 days to promote crystallization. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) captured images at 10 μm, 20 μm, and 50 μm across three positions to analyze particle morphology of 𝛾-CD-MOF components. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra characterized interactions between curcumin, 𝛾-CD, KOH, 𝛾-CD-MOF, and curcumin 𝛾-CD-MOF. Thermal imaging assessed heat retention of hydrogel samples exposed at 25°C, 37°C, and 45°C using a FLIR ONE Pro thermal imaging camera. Sol-gel transition temperatures were measured using the tube inversion method for Pluronic F-127 concentrations (0.25-1% w/v) to evaluate injectability and thermoresponsive behavior.
Results: Free curcumin remained insoluble in distilled water, as evidenced by visible precipitation, while the curcumin CD-MOF solution resulted in a relatively yellowish and transparent solution, indicating the improvement of water solubility of curcumin. SEM images confirm homogenous morphology of curcumin into the 𝛾-CD-MOF compared to raw components, indicating successful formulation. FTIR indicated molecular interactions confirming encapsulation. Thermal sensitivity of hydrogels from 25 °C to 37°C confirms effective thermoresponsive behavior of Pluronic F127, making it ideal for drug depot formation due to in situ gelation at body temperature. However, dye diffusion assays revealed a high internal diffusion rate, suggesting a faster-thandesired release profile.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that 𝛾-CD-MOFs enhance curcumin solubility and that Pluronic F-127 hydrogels respond effectively to physiological temperature. Despite the formulation’s structural and physicochemical success, rapid diffusion rates indicate some limitations for localized therapy and potential for off-target effects. Therefore, we propose that this system may be better suited for sustained, rather than localized, release applications. Future directions include optimizing the gel matrix density and evaluating cytotoxic effects in SiHa cervical cancer cells.
