Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a cause of mortality globally, with atherosclerosis contributing to cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarctions, strokes, and peripheral vascular diseases. The progression of atherosclerosis involves mechanisms including lipid infiltration, immune response activation, and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, necessitating therapeutic interventions to mitigate its impact. Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have emerged as an innovation in vascular therapy, integrating balloon angioplasty with the delivery of antiproliferative drugs to reduce restenosis and complications. However, current DCB technologies face challenges such as inefficient drug transfer, uncontrolled release kinetics, and particulate generation, which compromise efficacy and safety.This thesis investigates the optimization of DCBs by using self-assembling polymeric systems, specifically Pluronic® copolymers P123 and F108, to enhance drug delivery efficiency and stability. Pluronic micelles, with a triblock structure (PEO–PPO–PEO), facilitate the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs such as Everolimus (EVE), Sirolimus (SIR), and Paclitaxel (PTX), improving solubility and delivery. The research assesses the physicochemical properties, drug loading capacity, encapsulation efficiency, and release kinetics of these formulations, as well as the biocompatibility and drug transfer efficiency of SIR-loaded Pluronic coatings in vitro and ex vivo. The findings demonstrate that Pluronic-based coatings enhance drug encapsulation, stability, and controlled release, addressing limitations of current DCB technologies. Additionally, the biocompatibility and drug transfer observed in biological assays highlight the potential of these formulations for clinical applications. This research contributes to advancing DCB technologies by providing a framework for improving therapeutic outcomes in vascular interventions and paving the way for innovations in drug delivery systems for cardiovascular therapies.