Exploration of hemocompatibility and intratumoral accumulation of paclitaxel after loco-regional administration of thermoresponsive hydrogel composed of poloxamer and xanthan gum: An application to dose-dense chemotherapy.

Although paclitaxel is a front-line chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer, its intravenous therapy produces deleterious adverse effects. In an attempt to address the issue, the present study aimed to develop a paclitaxel loaded thermosensitive/thermoresponsive hydrogel (PTXNp-TGel) for loco-regional administration to breast tumors to provide dose-dense chemotherapy. Poloxamer and xanthan gum were used to prepare TGel by the cold method. In vitro and in vivo performance of PTXNp-TGel was compared with TGel, pure drug loaded TGel (PTX-TGel) and marketed formulation, Taxol®. The formulated PTXNp-TGel showed acceptable gelation temperature and time (37 °C and 57 s), lower viscosity at room temperature and higher viscosity at body temperature to support sol-gel transition with increasing temperature, and sustained drug release up to 21 days. Additionally, PTXNp-TGel showed negligible hemolytic toxicity as compared to PTX-TGel and Taxol®. Intratumoral administration of PTXNp-TGel produced significantly higher antitumor activity as indicated by lowest relative tumor volume (1.50) and relative antitumor proliferation rate (27.71 %) in comparison with PTX-TGel, Taxol®, and PTXNp (p < 0.05). Finally, insignificant body weight loss during the experimental period, lack of hematotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity imply improved therapeutic performance of the locally administrated dose-dense therapy of PTXNp-TGel as compared to Taxol®.

Development and optimization of paclitaxel loaded Eudragit/PLGA nanoparticles by simplex lattice mixture design: Exploration of improved hemocompatibility and in vivo kinetics.

Anemia is the most common hematological abnormality of chemotherapy, which is responsible for poor clinical outcomes. To overcome this complication, the present study was aimed for developing a Eudragit/polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) based nanoparticulate system for a model drug paclitaxel (PTX). The study was planned using a simplex lattice mixture design. PTX nanoparticles (PTXNp) were evaluated in vitro for physicochemical properties, hemolytic effects and cytotoxic effects. Further, the nanoparticles were subjected to in vivo screening using rats for hemocompatibility, pharmacokinetic profile, and biodistribution to the vital organs. The PTXNps were 65.77-214.73 nm in size, showed more than 60% sustained drug release in 360 h and caused less than 8% hemolysis. The parameters like red blood cell count, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT) and C3 complement were similar to the negative control. Cytotoxicity results suggested that all the PTXNp demonstrated drug concentration-dependent cytotoxicity. The in vivo pharmacokinetic study concluded that PTXNp formulations had significantly higher blood AUC (93.194.55-163,071.15 h*ng/mL), longer half-lives (5.80-6.35 h) and extended mean residence times (6.05-8.54 h) in comparison to PTX solution (p < 0.05). Overall, the study provides a nanoparticulate drug delivery system to deliver PTX safely and effectively along with reducing the associated hematological adverse effects.

Advances in the Delivery of Cancer Therapeutics: A Comprehensive Review.

BACKGROUND: The effects of various chemotherapeutic agents have been assessed for their capacity to inhibit the cell replication in variety of cancer cases. At present there are more than hundred chemotherapeutic agents capturing worth 42 billion dollar of drug market. The major obstacle in the successful treatment of cancer is the obnoxious side effects of chemotherapeutics and multi drug resistance, which deteriorates the quality of life of cancer patient. OBJECTIVE: This article attempts to summarize different novel chemotherapeutic delivery systems which aim to circumvent these unwanted effects. Areas Covered: Outcomes of different tumor directed carrier systems have been discussed with special emphasis on nanocarriers systems, drug polymer conjugation, directly implantable matrices and others. In addition, combination therapy and immunotherapy are also discussed as a revolutionary alternative. CONCLUSION: Even though significant contributions have been made in the development of carrier systems for the chemotherapeutic agents, merits and demerits of all the avenues should be critically examined. Potential of all novel strategies should be exploited by critically evaluating their strength, weakness, opportunities and threats. Further, clinical trials based on revised and critically scrutinized frameworks and protocols are needed so that the efficiency and safe action of these new systems can be guaranteed in cancer patients.

Recent approaches for reducing hemolytic activity of chemotherapeutic agents.

Drug induced hemolysis is a frequent complication associated with chemotherapy. It results from interaction of drug with erythrocyte membrane and leads to cell lysis. In recent past, various approaches were made to reduce drug-induced hemolysis, which includes drug polymer conjugation, drug delivery via colloidal carriers and hydrogels, co-administration of botanical agents and modification in molecular chemistry of drug molecules. The basic concept behind these strategies is to protect the red blood cells from membrane damaging effects of drugs. There are several examples of drug polymer conjugate that either are approved by Food and Drug Administration or are under clinical trial for delivering drugs with reduced toxicities. Likewise, colloidal carriers are also used successfully nowadays for the delivery of various chemotherapeutic agents like gemcitabine and amphotericin B with remarkable decrease in their hemolytic activity. Similarly, co-administration of botanical agents with drugs works as secondary system proving protection and strength to erythrocyte membranes. In addition to the above statement, interaction hindrance between RBC and drug molecule by molecular modification plays an important role in reducing hemolysis. This review predominantly describes the above recent approaches explored to achieve the reduced hemolytic activity of drugs especially chemotherapeutic agents.