In situ gelling drug delivery system
View Patent ↗The invention provides liquid controlled-release drug delivery compositions which gel upon injection into the body to form, in situ, controlled-release drug implants. The compositions of the invention feature a gel-forming polymer that is insoluble in water, a polyethylene glycol solvent in which the polymer is dissolved, and the drug substance to be delivered.
1. A method for forming a polymeric sustained-release drug delivery gel in a subject, comprising injecting into the subject a drug delivery device comprising a fluid composition, wherein:
the device comprises a tube;
the fluid composition is positioned in the tube;
the fluid composition comprises a drug, a biocompatible and bioerodable poly(DL-lactide-glycolide) (PLGA) polymer, and a polyoxyethylene ether;
the polyoxyethylene ether serves as a solvent for the PLGA polymer; and
the composition forms a gel phase when said composition comes into contact with water or bodily fluids.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the composition is co-injected with an aqueous fluid.
3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the aqueous fluid is buffered saline.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the device has at least one opening.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the device is an open tube.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the polyoxyethylene ether is polyethylene glycol (PEG).
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the average MW of the polyethylene glycol is between about 100 and about 6000.
8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the average MW of the polyethylene glycol is between about 200 and about 400.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the drug is a pegylated prodrug.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the release rate of the drug from the device is dependent on the surface area of the composition that is exposed to water or bodily fluids.