Iontophoretic device delivery for the localized treatment of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Drug delivery to pancreatic tumors is impaired by a unique desmoplastic response and poor tumor vascularization. A drug delivery device capable of overcoming these barriers could provide substantial benefit for patients with pancreatic cancer. In this study, we show that local iontophoretic delivery of folinic acid (leucovorin), fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) resulted in better tumor response and tolerability compared with i.v. FOLFIRINOX. Given the low systemic exposure of FOLFIRINOX using iontophoretic delivery, it may be possible to use in combination with systemic delivery to treat micrometastatic disease. Local iontophoretic delivery of cytotoxic agents should be considered as a neoadjuvant approach to improve resection rates and outcome in patients with localized and locally advanced pancreatic cancer