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The microclimate pH (µpH) in biodegradable polymers, such as poly(D,L-lactic-coglycolic acid) (PLGA) 50/50, commonly falls to deleterious acidic levels during biodegradation, resulting in instability of encapsulated acid-labile molecules. The µpH distribution in microspheres of a more hydrophilic polyester, poly(D,L-lactide-co-hydroxymethyl glycolide) (PLHMGA), was measured and compared to that in PLGA 50/50 of similar molecular weight and degradation time scales. pH mapping in the polymers was performed after incubation under physiological conditions by using a previously validated ratiometric confocal laser scanning microscopic (CLSM) method. Confocal µpH maps revealed that PLHMGA microspheres, regardless of copolymer composition, developed a far less acidic µpH during 4 weeks of incubation compared with microspheres from PLGA. A pH-independent fluorescent probe marker of polymer matrix diffusion of µpH-controlling water-soluble acid degradation products, bodipy, was observed by CLSM to diffuse ~3–7 fold more rapidly in PLHMGA compared to PLGA microspheres, consistent with much more rapid release of acids observed from the hydrophilic polymer during bioerosion. Hence, PLHMGA microspheres are less susceptible to acidification during degradation as compared to similar PLGA formulations, and therefore, PLHMGA may be more suitable to deliver acid labile molecules such as proteins.

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PurposeTo investigate the in vitro release of octreotide acetate, a somatostatin agonist, from microspheres based on a hydrophilic polyester, poly(D,L-lactide-co-hydroxymethyl glycolide) (PLHMGA).MethodsSpherical and non-porous octreotide-loaded PLHMGA microspheres (12 to 16 μm) and loading efficiency of 60–70% were prepared by a solvent evaporation. Octreotide release profiles were compared with commercial PLGA formulation (Sandostatin LAR®); possible peptide modification with lactic, glycolic and hydroxymethyl glycolic acid units was monitored.ResultsPLHMGA microspheres showed burst release (~20%) followed by sustained release for 20–60 days, depending on the hydrophilicity of the polymer. Percentage of released loaded peptide was high (70–90%); > 60% of released peptide was native octreotide. PLGA microspheres did not show peptide release for the first 10 days, after which it was released in a sustained manner over the next 90 days; > 75% of released peptides were acylated adducts.ConclusionsPLHMGA microspheres are promising controlled systems for peptides with excellent control over release kinetics. Moreover, substantially less peptide modification occurred in PLHMGA than in PLGA microspheres.Electronic Supplementary MaterialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11095-011-0517-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

PurposeTo study the release of a model protein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), from microspheres of an hydroxylated aliphatic polyester, poly(lactic-co-hydroxymethyl glycolic acid) (PLHMGA).MethodsBSA-loaded microspheres were prepared by a double emulsion solvent evaporation method. The effect of copolymer composition and the molecular weight of the copolymer on in vitro release and degradation were studied. The integrity of the released BSA was studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography (SEC).ResultsMicrospheres prepared from PLHMGA with 50% hydroxymethyl glycolic acid (HMG) showed a burst release followed by a sustained release in 5–10 days. PLHMGA microspheres prepared from a copolymer with 35% and 25% HMG showed a sustained release of BSA up to 80% for 30 and 60 days, respectively. The release of BSA was hardly affected by the molecular weight of the polymer. Fluorescence spectroscopy and SEC showed that the released BSA preserved its structural integrity. Microspheres were fully degradable, and the degradation time increased from ~20 days to 60 days when the HMG content decreased from 50% to 25%.ConclusionsTaking the degradation and release data together, it can be concluded that the release of BSA from PLHMGA microspheres is governed by degradation of the microspheres.

The rate of failure of chemotherapy treatment in ovarian cancer remains high, resulting in a low 5-year survival rate of 20-40% in patients that present with advanced-stage disease. Treatment-free periods between cycles of chemotherapy may contribute to accelerated tumor cell proliferation and decreased treatment response. The elimination of treatment-free breaks has been deemed beneficial in the context of cell-cycle-specific agents. The potential benefit of this approach for non-cell-cycle-specific agents has not yet been elucidated. The present study is the first to address this issue by investigating the impact of continuous versus intermittent intraperitoneal administration of carboplatin over a 14 day period to SCID mice bearing SKOV-3 ovarian cancer xenografts. Immunostaining of tumor sections was employed to quantify tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis using Ki-67, CD-31, caspase-3 (CASP3), and terminal deoxytransferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL). Continuous ip administration of carboplatin resulted in greater tumor growth inhibition than intermittent therapy (p < 0.05). Significantly greater tumor cell apoptosis and less cell proliferation and angiogenesis were measured in tumors of mice treated with continuous carboplatin as compared to both intermittent and control groups. These results indicate that continuous local administration may be a promising approach to improve the effectiveness of platinum-based chemotherapy regimens.

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