Preparation and characterization of gellan gum film as a carrier of 5-Chloro-8-hydroxy-7-iodoquinoline (CQ) for oral cancer therapy

In this study, gellan gum (GG) film was prepared with chemotherapy drug 5-Chloro-8-hydroxy-7- iodoquinoline (CQ) as an oral cancer treatment patch. Covalent conjugation of CQ and GG was via I-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl) carbodiimide (EDC)-mediation (GG/CQ/EDC film). The thickness of GG / CQ / EDC film was 22 ± 4 μm with 87.7 % gel content and 96.1 % water content. Mechanical testing revealed maximum tensile strength and elongation percentage at break of 1.98 kgf/mm^2 and 4.24 %, respectively. Drug release experiment lasted for 45 days, and the amount of CQ released was 82.4 %. Huguchi model fit the GG / CQ / EDC release data with high correlation coefficient (R^2=09990). From the results of animal testing, GG/CQ/EDC film can decrease epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and suppress tumor progression. These findings provide insight into the potential use of GG/CQ/EDC film for oral cancer therapy in clinical practice.