Design and Usability Evaluations of a 3D-Printed Implantable Drug Delivery Device for Acute Liver Failure in Preclinical Settings

Acute liver failure (ALF) requiring liver transplantation is a disease that occurs due to rapid hepatocellular dysfunction. As liver transplantation has various limitations, including donor scarcity, high cost, and immuno-incompatibility, continuous local delivery of biopharmaceuticals to the liver tissue can be a promising ALF treatment option. Here, the in vivo safety and usability of a 3D-printed implantable drug delivery device for effective ALF treatment is evaluated. The implantable reservoir consists of a 3D-printed container and a semipermeable membrane for repeated administrations of drugs, specifically to the liver tissue. The physical stability and function of the 3D-printed reservoir are confirmed by the mechanical properties and in vitro drug release test, respectively. In mice implanted with the reservoir system, mortality, weight changes, clinical signs, hematological and serum biochemical changes, and organ weight changes are not observed, suggesting no foreign body reaction. The usability of the reservoir system is further evaluated using an ALF model of 70% hepatectomized mice treated with N-acetylcysteine through the system, showing cell-specific regeneration and significant liver injury alleviation. Overall, the 3D-printed reservoir system is safe for studying the therapeutic potential of ALF treatment, and it can be used for the delivery of various active pharmaceutical ingredients.