Abstract 3591: Efficacy and distribution of intratumoral paclitaxel given alone or in combination with doxorubicin using hydrogel in nude mice

Abstract

Intralesional chemotherapy is suggested to improve local tumor control as well as systemic toxicity profile of antitumor agents against solid tumors. Thermosensitive poly-(organophosphazene) hydrogel is a novel injectable polymer that transforms from sol to gel at body temperature. In this study, we evaluated distribution and efficacy of paclitaxel (PTX) when given as intratumoral injection using the hydrogel or solution formulation in human SNU-601 tumor xenograft-bearing nude mice. Following intratumoral injection of 60 mg/kg of PTX, plasma drug concentrations were lower than 0.5 μg/ml(LOQ) for both hydrogel and solution. For PTX tumor concentration, Cmax was 1.2 folds higher and T1/2 3.7 folds longer with hydrogel compared to solution. Over 21d, AUCtumor was 1.5 folds greater in hydrogel compared to solution, indicating greater drug exposure and retention at target site. The antitumor activity of PTX (30 mg/kg) when given alone or in combination with doxorubicin (DOX, 15 mg/kg) was evaluated after intratumoral hydrogel injection in SNU-601 (Td= 21 d) and SNU-398 (Td= 5 d) xenograft models. The synergism between DOX and PTX, independent of dosage form, was observed in SNU-398, but not in SNU-601. No toxicity was observed in hydrogel group in neither single nor combination treatment. For slow-growing SNU-601 tumor, combination of PTX and DOX given in hyrogel mixture showed greater activity than that of solution. In conclusion, poly-(organophosphazene) polymer may be useful in intralesional administration of PTX to achieve greater drug exposure at target site. Also, combination of DOX and PTX, showed a potential for greater antitumor efficacy, which warrants further evaluation. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3591.