Drug Delivery
Thermogel for Combination Drug Delivery
WARF: P130338US03
Inventors: Glen Kwon, Hyunah Cho
The Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) is seeking commercial partners interested in developing localized cancer treatments using water-soluble polymer gels that simultaneously release multiple anticancer drugs at a controlled rate for potent antitumor efficacy.
Overview
As cancer research progresses, it is evident that single drug formulations only provide limited success. Developing combination therapies would greatly benefit patients, especially those who must follow dosage regimens for long-term disorders.
Many currently used chemotherapeutics are poorly water soluble, which complicates the process of partnering these drugs with a suitable delivery vehicle. Combining two or three drugs is additionally challenging because of compatibility and stability issues.
New multidrug vehicles must be safer, more effective and biocompatible.
Many currently used chemotherapeutics are poorly water soluble, which complicates the process of partnering these drugs with a suitable delivery vehicle. Combining two or three drugs is additionally challenging because of compatibility and stability issues.
New multidrug vehicles must be safer, more effective and biocompatible.
The Invention
UW–Madison researchers have developed hydrogels for delivering drug combinations to cancer patients. The gel is made of a solution of heat-sensitive, biodegradable block copolymers (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) that turn semisolid at body temperature.
The gel can contain a combination of therapeutic agents like rapamycin, paclitaxel and 17-AAG. After being administered to a patient, the gel releases the drugs at a controlled rate, and then biodegrades into nontoxic fragments.
The gel can contain a combination of therapeutic agents like rapamycin, paclitaxel and 17-AAG. After being administered to a patient, the gel releases the drugs at a controlled rate, and then biodegrades into nontoxic fragments.
Applications
- Local treatment of cancers, including brain cancer, breast cancer (e.g., lymph node metastasis), pancreatic cancer, head and neck cancer, ovarian cancer and esophageal cancer
Key Benefits
- First multidrug gel of its kind for local cancer treatment
- Extended release of drugs
- Solubility enhancement of poorly water-soluble drugs
- Nontoxic
- Safe and effective
- Biodegradable
Additional Information
For More Information About the Inventors
Related Technologies
Tech Fields
For current licensing status, please contact Rafael Diaz at [javascript protected email address] or 608-960-9847