Review on Medusa:a polymer-based sustained release technology for protein and peptide drugs.
The polymer-based Medusa system (Flamel Technologies) has been designed for slow release of therapeutic proteins and peptides. The Medusa II consists of a poly L-glutamate backbone grafted with hydrophobic alpha-tocopherol molecules, creating a colloidal suspension of nanoparticles (10 - 50 nm) in water. The sustained drug release is based on reversible drug interactions with hydrophobic nanodomains within the nanoparticles. In vivo, it is suggested that the therapeutic protein is displaced by endogenous proteins present in physiological fluids, leading to a slow drug release. The peak concentration is dramatically decreased and the protein release substantially extended. The Medusa technology has been applied to subcutaneous injection for several therapeutic proteins, such as IL-2 and IFN-alpha(2b), in animal models (rats, dogs, monkeys) and clinical trials in renal cancer (IL-2) and hepatitis C (IFN-alpha(2b)) patients.
Flamel Technologies, 33 Avenue du Dr Georges Lévy, 69693 Vénissieux, France.
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YP
Chan
R
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Meyrueix
R
R
Kravtzoff
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F
Nicolas
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K
Lundstrom
D000818:Animals; D002626:Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; D003102:Colloids; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D004339:Drug Compounding; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000008:administration & dosage; D053758:Nanoparticles; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D011506:Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012995:Solubility; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000737:chemistry*
D003102:Colloids; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000077190:Interferon alpha-2; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D007376:Interleukin-2; D011506:Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol