Thermogelling PLGA-PEG-PLGA from PolySciTech used for delivery of paclitaxel, rapamycin, and LS301 as part of ovarian cancer theranostic research.

PolySciTech division of Akina, Inc. (www.polyscitech.com) provides a wide array of biodegradable block copolymers including thermogels such as PLGA-PEG-PLGA. One of the uses for this type of polymer is to provide for injectable delivery of medicines. Because the polymer gels and entraps the pharmaceuticals inside, it allows for localized delivery of the drug over a period of time. Recently, researchers have utilized this polymer to create a co-formulation with three chemotherapeutic and theranostic agents (paclitaxel, rapamycin, and LS301). They injected this in a mouse model and tracked its effect against ovarian cancer cells. Read more: McKenzie, Matthew, David Betts, Amy Suh, Kathryn Bui, Rui Tang, Kexian Liang, Samuel Achilefu, Glen S. Kwon, and Hyunah Cho. "Proof-of-Concept of Polymeric Sol-Gels in Multi-Drug Delivery and Intraoperative Image-Guided Surgery for Peritoneal Ovarian Cancer." Pharmaceutical Research (2016): 1-9. http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11095-016-1968-3

“Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate a sol–gel transition property and content release profiles for thermosensitive poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide)-block-poly-(ethylene glycol)-block-poly-(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-b-PEG-b-PLGA) hydrogels carrying paclitaxel, rapamycin, and LS301, and to present a proof-of-concept that PLGA-b-PEG-b-PLGA hydrogels carrying paclitaxel, rapamycin, and LS301, called TheranoGel, exhibit excellent theranostic activity in peritoneal ES-2-luc ovarian cancer xenograft mice. Methods: Thermosensitive PLGA-b-PEG-b-PLGA hydrogels carrying paclitaxel, rapamycin, and LS301, individually or in combination, were prepared via a lyophilization method, characterized with content release kinetics, and assessed with theranostic activity in ES-2-luc xenograft mice. Results: A thermosensitive PLGA-b-PEG-b-PLGA sol–gel system was able to entrain 3 poorly water-soluble payloads, paclitaxel, rapamycin, and LS301 (TheranoGel). TheranoGel made a sol-to-gel transition at 37°C and slowly released 3 drugs at a simultaneous release rate in response to the physical dissociation of hydrogels in vitro. TheranoGel enabled loco-regional delivery of multi-drugs by forming a gel-depot in the peritoneal cavity of ES-2-luc xenograft mice. An intraperitoneal (IP) administration of TheranoGel resulted in excellent therapeutic and diagnostic activities, leading to the improved peritoneal surgery in ES-2-luc xenograft mice. Conclusions: TheranoGel prepared via a facile lyophiliation method enabled successful IP delivery of multi-drugs and exhibited excellent theranostic activity in vivo. KEY WORDS: hydrogels intraperitoneal ovarian cancer theranostics thermosensitive”