Lapachone delivery systems, compositions and uses related thereto

Abstract

In part, the present invention is directed to a system comprising a lapachone or a prodrug thereof and a polymer, such as a biocompatible and optionally biodegradable polymer, methods for treatment using the subject polymer compositions, and methods of making and using the same. In another part, the present invention includes inclusion complexes of a lapachone or a prodrug thereof and a cyclodextrin, preferably a β-cyclodextrin, such as hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin, e.g., to improve the solubility of the lapachone or prodrug thereof.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of, and incorporates by reference, the entire disclsoure of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 374693, filed Apr. 23, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]β-Lapachone (β-lap) is a potent cytotoxic agent that demonstrates antitumor activity against a variety of human cancer cells at concentrations typically in the range of 1-10 μM (IC50). The drug was first isolated from the bark of the Lapacho tree (genus Tabebuia) in the rainforests of South America, which has a long history as an herbal medicine. Cytotoxicity has been demonstrated in transformed cell lines derived from patients with promyelocytic leukemia, prostate, malignant glioma, hepatoma, colon, breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and multiple myeloma cell lines including drug-resistant lines. (Planchon et al., Cancer Res., 55 (1996) 3706; Li, C. J., et al., Cancer Res., 55 (1995) 3712; Weller, M. et al., Int. J Cancer, 73 (1997) 707; Lai, C. C., et al. Histol ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a system that includes a lapachone or prodrug thereof and a biocompatible polymer. The system can be used for the treatment of malarial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections. The polymer can also include other biologically active agents or diagnostic agents. The system can be in the form of microspheres or nanospheres, which can be administered to patients through various methods such as injection or inhalation. The use of the polymer system allows for sustained release of the therapeutic agent and can provide different treatment regimens compared to other methods.

Problems solved by technology

Because cancer cells are constantly replicating and circumvent many mechanisms that restrict replication in normal cells, they are more vulnerable to topoisomerase inhibition than are normal cells.

Despite the potency and selectivity of β-lap in killing cancer cells in vitro, the low water solubility of β-lapachone (0.04 mg / ml or 0.16 mM) limits its potential for systemic administration and clinical applications in vivo. β-lapachone is highly insoluble in water and has only limited solubility in common solvent systems used for topical and parenteral administration.

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