Aliphatically modified biodegradable block copolymers as thermogelling polymers
A thermogelling, aliphatically modified polymer for use in drug delivery is described. Illustrative embodiments include poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) hexanoate and poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) laurate. Another illustrative embodiment includes a composition having a thermogelling amount of an aliphatically modified poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) and an effective amount of a drug. The thermogelling polymers are made by bonding an aliphatic group to poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone). A method of use includes injecting a warm-blooded individual with a thermogelling amount of the aliphatically modified polymer and a drug.
1. A composition of matter comprising poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) covalently bonded to at least one aliphatic hydrocarbon.
2. The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 3 to 18 carbons.
3. The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 6 to 17 carbons.
4. The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 6 carbons.
5. The composition of matter of claim 1 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 12 carbons.
6. A composition of matter comprising a mixture of an effective amount of a drug and a thermogelling amount of poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) covalently bonded to an aliphatic hydrocarbon.
7. The composition of matter of claim 6 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 3 to 18 carbons.
8. The composition of matter of claim 6 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 6 to 17 carbons.
9. The composition of matter of claim 6 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 6 carbons.
10. The composition of matter of claim 6 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 12 carbons.
11. The composition of matter of claim 6 wherein the poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) covalently bonded to an aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) hexanoate.
12. The composition of matter of claim 6 wherein the poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) covalently bonded to an aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) laurate.
13. A method of forming a depot for time release of a drug, the method comprising injecting a warm-blooded individual with a composition of matter comprising a mixture of an effective amount of a drug and a thermogelling amount of poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) covalently bonded to an aliphatic hydrocarbon.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 3 to 18 carbons.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 6 to 17 carbons.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 6 carbons.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein the aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises 12 carbons.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein the poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) covalently bonded to an aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) hexanoate.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein the poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) covalently bonded to an aliphatic hydrocarbon comprises poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(lactic-co-ε-caprolactone) laurate.