In this study, an intelligent drug delivery system (DDS) based on implanted triboelectric nanogenerator (iTENG) and red blood cell (RBC) is established for in situ hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) therapy. Apatinib (APA), as an oral antitumor drug, which can inhibit the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR2) is loaded inside RBC, realizing the transform from oral formulation to injection preparation. Multishape designed iTENG adapted for different implant sites and environments can harvest biomechanical energy efficiently. The electric field (EF) generated by the iTENG can increase the release of APA, and the release will decrease quickly when the EF disappears, which shows that the DDS is highly controllable. The controllable DDS demonstrates an exciting killing ability of HCC cells both in vitro and in vivo with strikingly reduced APA dosage. After implantation, the self-powered DDS has a prominent therapeutic effect of HCC-bearing rabbits, which is expected to be applied in clinical medicine.
Keywords: apatinib; drug delivery; hepatocellular carcinoma; self-powered; triboelectric nanogenerator.