Dual-Reverse Thermosensitive Hydrogel for Irinotecan Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current formulations of irinotecan, used for cancer treatment, face challenges such as initial burst effects leading to high blood concentrations and potential tissue damage due to direct contact with muscle tissues, necessitating a formulation that sustains drug efficacy while improving safety and reducing tissue damage.

Innovation Solution

A dual-reverse thermosensitive hydrogel composition is developed, incorporating irinotecan-loaded thermosensitive solid lipid nanoparticles dispersed in a thermosensitive hydrogel made from poloxamers and Tween 80, with a gelation temperature of 30-36°C, which regulates drug release and avoids direct contact with tissues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If irinotecan is administered via intramuscular injection to sustain drug release, then drug efficacy is improved, but initial burst effect causes high blood concentrations leading to side effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug release durationVSAvoidinitial burst effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the drug delivery system into two distinct components: solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) that encapsulate irinotecan and provide controlled release, and a thermosensitive hydrogel that provides sustained release and prevents initial burst effect. This segmentation allows each component to address specific aspects of drug delivery, resolving the contradiction between sustained release and initial burst effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite material system combining solid lipid nanoparticles with thermosensitive hydrogel. The SLNs provide a solid matrix for drug encapsulation while the hydrogel provides a temperature-responsive sustained release mechanism. This composite approach enables both sustained release duration and prevention of initial burst effect by coordinating the release mechanisms of both materials

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Duration of action of moving object

If irinotecan is administered via intramuscular injection, then sustained release is achieved, but direct contact with muscle tissues causes tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesustained releaseVSAvoidtissue damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces thermosensitive hydrogel as an intermediary material between irinotecan and muscle tissues. The hydrogel acts as a protective barrier that prevents direct contact between the toxic drug and muscle tissues while still allowing controlled drug release. This intermediary approach maintains sustained release benefits while eliminating tissue damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermosensitive hydrogel forms a flexible gel matrix that encapsulates the solid lipid nanoparticles containing irinotecan. This gel matrix serves as a protective shell that prevents direct exposure of muscle tissues to the toxic drug while allowing controlled diffusion of the drug over time, thus achieving sustained release without tissue damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Duration of action of moving object

If thermosensitive hydrogel is used for intramuscular administration, then sustained release is improved, but gelation temperature must be precisely controlled to avoid tissue damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesustained releaseVSAvoidgelation temperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes in the thermosensitive hydrogel system, specifically the temperature-dependent gelation property. The hydrogel transitions from liquid to gel state at a specific gelation temperature (30-36°C), which is carefully selected to be below body temperature. This parameter change enables sustained release while ensuring the gel forms at safe temperatures that prevent tissue damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The thermosensitive hydrogel exhibits self-gelation properties based on temperature changes. Upon intramuscular administration, the hydrogel automatically transitions from liquid to gel state as it cools to body temperature, providing sustained release without requiring external control mechanisms. This self-service approach simplifies temperature control and reduces manufacturing precision requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The formulation effectively reduces the initial burst effect, enhances drug efficacy, and minimizes tissue damage by controlling the release of irinotecan, maintaining therapeutic levels for a longer duration with reduced side effects.

Implementation Method 1

the thermosensitive solid lipid nanoparticles are dispersed in a thermosensitive hydrogel... the former is melted to a liquid form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Implementation Method 2

the latter is altered to a gel in the body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Implementation Method 3

release of irinotecan is doubly regulated to resolve the initial burst effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase transition: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3202423B1Irinotecan-loaded dual-reverse thermosensitive hydrogel composition
Publication Date: 2019.09.11 IND UNIV COOP FOUND HANYANG UNIV ERICA CAMPUS
  • EP3202423B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3202423B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3202423B1 patent drawingFigure 3(1)~3(2)

AI summary

Provided is an irinotecan-loaded dual-reverse thermosensitive formulation, which is a dual-reverse thermosensitive hydrogel composition including nanoparticles including irinotecan and lipids; a hydrogel; and a stabilizer.