Matrices for drug delivery and methods for making and using the same
View Patent ↗In one aspect, biocompatible matrices such as sol-gels encapsulating a reaction center may be administered to a subject for conversion of prodrugs into biologically active agents. In certain embodiments, the biocompatible matrices of the present invention are sol-gels. In one embodiment, the enzyme L -amino acid decarboxylase is encapsulated and implanted in the brain to convert L -dopa to dopamine for treatment of Parkinson's disease.
1. A medical article comprising:
a. an inorganic-based sol-gel matrix that is biocompatible; and,
b. a first reaction center encapsulated in said matrix,
wherein upon placing said article comprising said biocompatible matrix in contact with tissue and/or fluids of a subject, said first reaction center converts a first prodrug into a first biologically active agent.
2. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein said first prodrug is endogenous to said subject and is more deleterious to said subject than said first biologically active agent.
3. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein said fluid is blood of said subject.
4. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein said article consists entirely of said biocompatible matrix.
5. The medical article of claim 2 , wherein said article is implantable.
6. The medical article of claim 4 , wherein said biocompatible matrix is attached to said article.
7. The medical article of claim 4 , wherein said biocompatible matrix is attached to said article as a thin film.
8. The medical article of claim 4 , wherein said biocompatible matrix is attached to said article in a capsule.
9. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein said biocompatible matrix is incorporated within said article.
10. The medical article of claim 1 , wherein said article is a tissue assist device, wherein said first reaction center provides a biological function characteristic of tissue of said subject.
11. The medical article of claim 10 , wherein said contact occurs extracorporeal to said subject.
12. The medical article of claim 10 , wherein said tissue of said subject is deficient in converting said first prodrug into said first biologically active agent.
13. A method for producing a medical article of claim 1 comprising:
a. encapsulating a first cell-free reaction center in a biocompatible matrix; and
b. shaping said matrix into a desired morphology;
wherein said biocompatible matrix comprises an inorganic-based sol-gel matrix and wherein said first reaction center converts a first prodrug into a first biologically active agent.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein said matrix is cast into a morphology selected from one of the following: cylindrical, rectangular, disk-shaped, patch-shaped, ovoid, stellate, or spherical.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein said matrix is cast or sprayed as a thin film onto said medical article.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein said biocompatible matrix comprises a silica-based sol-gel matrix.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein said biocompatible matrix is prepared from at least one type of oxysilane.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said biocompatible matrix is prepared from more than one type of oxysilane.
19. The method of claim 13 , wherein said biocompatible matrix is prepared from at least one type of inorganic oxide and at least one type of oxysilane.
20. A method for producing a medical article of claim 1 comprising:
a. encapsulating a first cell-free reaction center in a biocompatible matrix;
b. crushing said biocompatible matrix; and
c. encapsulating said crushed biocompatible matrix;
wherein said biocompatible matrix comprises an inorganic-based sol-gel matrix and wherein said first reaction center converts a first prodrug into a first biologically active agent.