Solid tumour chemotherapy using implantable collagen-poly (HEMA) hydrogel containing 5-fluorouracil.
Implantable collagen-poly(HEMA) hydrogels containing the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) have been prepared and evaluated for their efficacy towards a solid tumour fibrosarcoma in Wistar rats. The tumour was developed by inoculation of a 10% tumour-cell suspension in the anterior aspect of the hind limb. Four groups were studied--untreated control, intratumoural injection of free 5-FU, subcutaneous implantation of placebo and implantation of 5-FU-bearing hydrogel pellets (10 mm diameter x 1 mm thick) containing the drug in close proximity to the tumour. The hydrogel showed an improved antitumour activity over free 5-FU as evidenced by the gross tumour weight assessments and by [3H]thymidine incorporation in-vitro. This was attributed to the controlled and slow release of 5-FU compared with free 5-FU over the same period of treatment. The implantation of hydrogel could thus be a potential alternative to free 5-FU therapy in the treatment of solid tumours such as fibrosarcoma.
Biomaterials Laboratory Central Leather Research Institute, Madras, India.
R
R
Jeyanthi
B
B
Nagarajan
K P
KP
Rao
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen; D004343:Drug Implants; D005260:Female; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D004343:Drug Implants; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D003094:Collagen; D005472:Fluorouracil; D013936:Thymidine