Microspheres for the treatment of a prostate hyperplasia by active embolization
The present invention relates to injectable compositions comprising biocompatible, swellable, substantially hydrophilic, non-toxic and substantially spherical polymeric material carriers which are capable of efficiently delivering bioactive therapeutic factor(s) for use in embolization drug therapy. The present invention further relates to methods of embolization gene therapy, particularly for the treatment of angiogenic and non-angiogenic-dependent diseases, using the injectable compositions.
1. A method of reducing the blood supply to a prostate of a patient to treat a hyperplasia, comprising administering to the prostate of the patient biocompatible, hydrophilic and substantially spherical microspheres comprising
(i) an acrylamide, acrylate, or acrylic polymer or copolymer, and
(ii) a drug,
wherein the drug is associated with the polymer by an ionic interaction, and
wherein the diameter of the microspheres ranges from 10 μm to 2000 μm.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said microspheres comprise a biocompatible sodium acrylate and vinyl alcohol copolymer.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said microspheres appear smooth under magnification of up to 1000 times.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microspheres are swellable.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the drug is selected from the group consisting of an antibiotic, a local anesthetic agent, and a hormone.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment is temporary.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment is permanent.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microspheres further comprise a polyvinyl alcohol.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microspheres further comprise a fluorescent marker, chemical dye, contrast agent, magnetic resonance imaging agent, or a mixture thereof.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the contrast agent is a paramagnetic or superparamagnetic contrast agent, or a mixture thereof.
11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the contrast agent is a barium salt, magnetite salt, iodine salt, iron oxide, or a mixture thereof.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the microspheres further comprise an iron oxide.
13. A method of treating a benign hyperplasia in the prostate of a patient by embolization, said method comprising
administering to the prostate of the patient, biocompatible, hydrophilic and substantially spherical microspheres comprising an acrylamide polymer,
wherein the diameter of the microspheres ranges from 10 μm to 2000 μm.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the microspheres further comprise gelatin.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the microspheres further comprise a fluorescent marker, chemical dye, contrast agent, magnetic resonance imaging agent, or a mixture thereof.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the contrast agent is a paramagnetic or superparamagnetic contrast agent, or a mixture thereof.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the contrast agent is a barium salt, magnetite salt, iodine salt, iron oxide, or a mixture thereof.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the microspheres further comprise an iron oxide.
19. A method of treating a benign hyperplasia in the prostate of a patient by embolization, said method comprising administering to the prostate of the patient, biocompatible and substantially spherical polymer microspheres, wherein the diameter of the microspheres ranges from 10 μm to 2000 μm.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the microspheres comprise an acrylamide, acrylate, or acrylic polymer or copolymer.
21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the microspheres comprise a sodium acrylate and vinyl alcohol copolymer.
22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the microspheres are swellable.