title: Three weeks release BCNU loaded hydrophilic-PLGA microspheres for interstitial chemotherapy: Development and activity against human glioblastoma cells.
abstract: The aim of this study is the development of microspheres of BCNU for intracranial administration, as an alternative to marketed novel Gliadel Implant in the treatment of brain tumours. H poly-lactide-co-glycolide biodegradable microspheres of BCNU with a mean size of 33.5 + or - 1.8 microm were obtained by an oil-in-water emulsion solvent evaporation method. Their small size would allow their intracranial administration through a needle by cerebral stereotaxia if tumour recurrence occurs, without a surgical intervention, as Gliadel needs. BCNU was released from these microspheres during 21 days, mainly by a mechanism of diffusion from the polymer matrix (K = 2.91 mg days(-(1/2))). The cytotoxic effects of these microspheres on human glioblastoma cells were demonstrated all through 21 days and the value of percentage of viable cells was less than 40%. These microspheres should be commercialized as a freeze-dried product to keep at -20 degrees C. Three hundred and twenty milligrams of microspheres contain 61.6 mg of BCNU, the same amount of BCNU contained in 1600 mg or eight wafers of Gliadel usually implanted after the tumour resection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Complutense University of Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Esther Gil-Alegre
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: González-Alvarez
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Paúls
authors.forename: Ana Isabel
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Torres-Suárez
mesh_terms: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004337:Drug Carriers / Q000737:chemistry*; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008863:Microspheres; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D013997:Time Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D004337:Drug Carriers; D000077182:Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; D011100:Polyglycolic Acid; D019344:Lactic Acid; D002330:Carmustine