Docetaxel-loaded scaffolds manufactured by 3D printing as model, biodegradable prostatic stents

The first-line therapy against locally advanced prostate cancer is radical prostatectomy as well as radiation therapy which might contribute to the swelling of the prostate. To prevent this, prostatic urethral stents might be used and they are mostly made of metal alloys. However, biodegradable prostatic stents are constantly explored. The aim of the study was 3D printing of tubular biodegradable scaffolds intended as a model prostatic stent since 3D printing allows obtaining devices with controlled geometric shape and function. Additional docetaxel-loaded layers on bioresorbable scaffolds were obtained for local chemotherapeutic delivery. Scaffolds were characterized before and during incubation in artificial urine for 6 weeks. Changes in the chain microstructure of the scaffolding polymer during this period were stable. Weight loss of the scaffolds was very low contrary to molecular weight changes. During incubation, slow release of the docetaxel was observed. After 6 weeks, 20% of the drug was released from the coating. The stable release of the cytostatic drug during chemotherapy is advantageous. Contrary to systemic administration of docetaxel used nowadays as a standard treatment in castration-resistant prostatic cancer, local administration is proposed instead, with the aim to downstage the disease before radical therapy and thus to minimize the risk of recurrence.