To verify the feasibility of using drug-loaded ultrafine fibers in local chemotherapy of cancers

ability of the paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded polylactide (PLA) fiber mats to induce cell apoptosis of U14 cervical cancer cells and to inhibit the growth of the xenograft U14 cervical cancers was examined. The U14 cells were incubated for 48 h in the presence of the fiber mats

and the cell apoptosis rate (CAR) was evaluated by flow cytometry (FC) with Annexin V-FITC and PI double staining. The FC results showed that after 48 h incubation in the presence of PTX-loaded fibers (equivalent PTX content 40 g/mL)

the total CAR (25.6%) was significantly higher than the control group (1.0%) and the Fiber-only group (1.5%). U14 cervical cancer models were established in balb-c mice. The tumor body was separated from the surrounding tissues and wrapped with nano-fiber mats in a coverage ratio of 70%~75%. Seven and fourteen days after surgery

5~7 animals in each group were sacrificed

and the tumors were separated

cut down

photographed and weighed. The tumor inhibition rates (TIR) were calculated. The results showed that the PTX-loaded (33 wt%) fiber wrapping led to significant inhibition of the growth of U14 cervical cancers (TIR=48%~56%). Although the Fiber-only group animals underwent surgery and their tumors were wrapped with the fiber mats

their tumor weights were not significantly different from those of the Control group

indicating that the PLA fibers themselves did not inhibit the tumor growth

and the inhibitory effects observed in the Fiber-PTX group was due to the released PTX from the fibers. In conclusion

the PTX-loaded PLA fiber mats displayed significant inhibition to the xenograft U14 cervical cancers. They are suitable for local chemotherapy of the U14 cervical cancers before and/or after surgery.