Doxorubicin-loaded zein in situ gel for interstitial chemotherapy of colorectal cancer

• Main Authors: Ning Shen, Jie Hu, Linan Zhang, Li Zhang, Yongjun Sun, Yinghua Xie, Shaomei Wu, Lei Liu, Zibin Gao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2012-12-01
• Series: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B
• Subjects: Doxorubicin; Zein; In situ gel; Tumor; Intratumoral injection
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211383512001396
• ISSN: 2211-3835; 2211-3843

The aim of this research was to evaluate doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded zein in situ gels, a new drug delivery system in which a liquid state drug can be transformed into semi-solid after intratumoral injection. In vitro release of DOX-loaded zein was investigated and the pharmacokinetics, biodistribution and therapeutic efficacy of these DOX-loaded zein formulations were investigated using BALB/c nude tumor-bearing mice. In vitro release of DOX from the gels extended up to 7 days. Efficient accumulation of DOX in the tumor with lower drug concentration in blood and normal organs was obtained resulting in effective inhibition of tumor growth and fewer off-target side effects. In conclusion, a DOX-loaded in situ gel was developed with sustained release, enhanced anti-cancer efficacy for colorectal cancer in vivo, and especially with reduced off-target side effects.