Biodegradable PLGA Based Nanoparticles for Sustained Regional Lymphatic Drug Delivery

The purpose of this work is to evaluate biodegradable drug carriers with defined size, hydrophobicity, and surface charge density for preferential lymphatic uptake and retention for sustained regional drug delivery. PLGA–PMA:PLA-PEG (PP) nanoparticles of defined size and relative hydrophobicity were prepared by nanoprecipitation method. These were compared with PS particles of similar sizes and higher hydrophobicity. PLGA–PMA:PLGA-COOH (PC) particles at 80:20, 50:50, and 20:80 ratios were prepared by nanoprecipitation for the charge study. Particle size and zeta potential were characterized by dynamic light scattering and laser doppler anemometry, respectively. Particles were administered in vivo to rats subcutaneously. Systemic and lymph node uptake was evaluated by marker recovery. Lymphatic uptake and node retention of PP nanoparticles was shown to be inversely related to size. Lymphatic uptake and node retention of PP particles, as compared to PS particles, was shown to be inversely related to hydrophobicity. Lastly, lymphatic uptake and node retention of PC nanoparticles were directly related to the anionic charge on the particles. In vivo lymphatic uptake and retention in a rat model indicates that the 50 nm PP particles are ideal for sustained regional delivery into the lymphatics for prevention/treatment of oligometastases

A three-drug nanoscale drug delivery system designed for preferential lymphatic uptake for the treatment of metastatic melanoma

Metastatic melanoma has a high mortality rate due to lymphatic progression of the disease. Current treatment is surgery followed by radiation and intravenous chemotherapy. However, drawbacks for current chemotherapeutics lie in the fact that they develop resistance and do not achieve therapeutic concentrations in the lymphatic system. We hypothesize that a three-drug nanoscale drug delivery system, tailored for lymphatic uptake, administered subcutaneously, will have decreased drug resistance and therefore offer better therapeutic outcomes. We prepared and characterized nanoparticles (NPs) with docetaxel, everolimus, and LY294002 in polyethyleneglycol-block-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PEG-PCL) polymer with different charge distributions by modifying the ratio of anionic and neutral end groups on the PEG block. These NPs are similarly sized (~48nm), with neutral, partially charged, or fully charged surface. The NPs are able to load ~2mg/mL of each drug and are stable for 24h. The NPs are assessed for safety and efficacy in two transgenic metastatic melanoma mouse models. All the NPs were safe in both models based on general appearance, weight changes, death, and blood biochemical analyses. The partially charged NPs are most effective in decreasing the number of melanocytes at both the proximal (sentinel) lymph node (LN) and the distal LN from the injection site. The neutral NPs are efficacious at the proximal LN, while the fully charged NPs have no effect on either LNs. Thus, our data indicates that the NP surface charge and lymphatic efficacy are closely tied to each other and the partially charged NPs have the highest potential in treating metastatic melanoma

Eutectic, monotectic and immiscibility systems of nimesulide with water-soluble carriers: phase equilibria, solid-state characterisation and in-vivo/pharmacodynamic evaluation

Abstract Objectives The solid-state interactions of fused mixtures nimesulide (ND) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 4000, urea or mannitol were studied through constructing thaw-melt phase equilibrium diagrams. Methods The solid-state characteristics were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Various types of interactions were identified such as the formation of a eutectic system of ND-PEG 4000, monotectic system of ND-urea and complete solid immiscibility of ND with mannitol. The effects of carrier concentrations on the equilibrium solubility and in-vitro dissolution characteristics were studied. Key findings Linear increases (R2 &amp;gt; 0.99) in the aqueous solubility of ND in various concentrations of PEG 4000 and urea were obtained, whereas mannitol did not exhibit any effect on the solubility of ND. Similar trends were obtained with the dissolution efficiency of the fused mixtures of ND with PEG 4000 and urea compared with the corresponding physical mixtures and untreated drug. The analgesic effects of untreated ND and the selected formulations were investigated by evaluating the drug's ability to inhibit the acetic acid-induced writhing response. Conclusions The analgesic effect of ND in a eutectic mixture with PEG 4000 and a monotectic mixture with urea was potentiated by 3.2 and 2.7-fold respectively compared with the untreated drug. </jats:sec