An alginate-based macroporous hydrogel matrix to trap cancer cells

To overcome the radioresistance of glioblastoma (GBM) cells infiltrated in the brain, we propose to attract these cancer cells into a trap to which a lethal radiation dose can be delivered safely. Herein, we have prepared and characterized a sodium alginate-based macroporous hydrogel as a potential cancer cell trap. Microcomputed Xray tomography shows that the hydrogel matrices comprise interconnected pores with an average diameter of 300 pm. The F98 GBM cells migrated in the pores and mainly accumulated in the center of the matrix. Depending on the number of cancer cells added, the grafting of RGD cell-adhesion peptides to the alginate resulted in a 4 to 10 times increase in the number of F98 cells (which overexpress the associated alpha vI33 and alpha vI35 binding integrins) retained in the matrix. Finally, a radiation dose of 25 Gy eliminated all F98 cells trapped in the matrix, without significantly altering the matrix mechanical properties.