Adsorption Kinetic Studies of 5-fluorouracil Molecules on Hydroxyapatite Surface

Hydroxyapatite (Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2) is known as the main inorganic component of mature mammalian bones and teeth. Because of its biocompatibility, hydroxyapatite has attracted much attention due to its potential applications in many biomedical researches. Here, we tested a therapeutic potential for the use of hydroxyapatite as an anticancer drug delivery vector. We prepared various types of hydroxyapatite having different chemical contents and morphologies using hydrothermal synthesis. The capability of hydroxyapatite as drug delivery materials was examined by adsorption kinetics of 5-fluorouracil molecules, a common anticancer drug, in phosphate buffered saline. We find that hydroxyapatite with smaller crystal size and higher phosphate contents shows improved adsorption property. Given that hydroxyapatite provides a scaffold for bone regeneration, these results highlight a potential use of hydroxyapatite in therapies aimed at osteosarcoma.