Particle Stability During Pressurized Intra-peritoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy (PIPAC)

Abstract

Background/aim: Pressurized intra-peritoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) is a new approach in the treatment of peritoneal carcinomatosis. With PIPAC currently limited to liquid chemotherapeutic solutions, this study aims to investigate whether the application range may be extended to the delivery of therapeutic nano- or microparticles.

Materials and methods: Human serum, bacteria cultures and macrophage cells were aerosolized in an established ex vivo model. Human serum composition was analyzed via gel electrophoresis. The viability of bacteria and macrophage cells was measured prior to and following PIPAC.

Results: No structural disintegration of the plasma solution was detected. While the concentration and viability of Escherichia coli and Salmonella Enteritidis did not significantly change following aerosol formation, macrophage cells showed structural disintegration.

Conclusion: Our ex vivo data suggest that PIPAC can be used to deliver complex particles. The delivery of small and less complex particles was feasible, yet the mechanical and physical properties of PIPAC might alter the stability of larger and more complex particles.

Keywords: Ex vivo; nanoparticles; particle disintegration; peritoneal metastasis; pressurized intra-peritoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC).