Sperm-hybrid micromotor for drug delivery in the female reproductive tract

TL;DR

This paper introduces a sperm-driven micromotor that uses sperm cells as natural, active drug carriers for targeted delivery in the female reproductive tract, combining biological and microengineering techniques.

Contribution

It presents a novel hybrid micromotor utilizing sperm cells and laser-printed microstructures for targeted drug delivery in gynecological treatments.

Findings

Sperm cells can effectively deliver drugs to tumor spheroids.

The micromotor allows controlled guidance and release of sperm in targeted areas.

Sperm-based delivery reduces toxicity and unwanted drug accumulation.

Abstract

A sperm-driven micromotor is presented as cargo-delivery system for the treatment of gynecological cancers. This particular hybrid micromotor is appealing to treat diseases in the female reproductive tract, the physiological environment that sperm cells are naturally adapted to swim in. Here, the single sperm cell serves as an active drug carrier and as driving force, taking advantage of its swimming capability, while a laser-printed microstructure coated with a nanometric layer of iron is used to guide and release the sperm in the desired area by an external magnet and structurally imposed mechanical actuation, respectively. The printed tubular microstructure features four arms which release the drug-loaded sperm cell in situ when they bend upon pushing against a tumor spheroid, resulting in the drug delivery, which occurs when the sperm squeezes through the cancer cells and fuses with cell membrane. Sperms also offer higher drug encapsulation capability and carrying stability compared to other nano and microcarriers, minimizing toxic effects and unwanted drug accumulation. Moreover, sperms neither express pathogenic proteins nor proliferate to form undesirable colonies, unlike other cells or microorganisms do, making this bio-hybrid system a unique and biocompatible cargo delivery platform for various biomedical applications, especially in gynecological healthcare.