Modulating beta-lapachone release from polymer millirods through cyclodextrin complexation.

Beta-lapachone (beta-lap) is a novel anticancer agent that kills tumors overexpressing the NADPH: quinone oxidoreductase enzyme. However, poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability hinder its therapeutic applications. Herein we describe the development of poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) polymer millirods for local delivery of beta-lap. The objective was to investigate the use of beta-lap inclusion complexes with cyclodextrins (CDs) to control beta-lap release kinetics from PLGA millirods. Differential scanning calorimetry was performed to measure drug/polymer interactions, complexation efficiency with different CDs, and complex/polymer interactions. beta-Lap was found to have a solid-state solubility of 13% in PLGA. beta-Lap dissolution in PLGA matrix lowered the glass transition temperature of PLGA from 44 to 31 degrees C, and led to a slow release of beta-lap (8.8+/-1.2% release after 22 days). For beta-lap and CD interactions, increasing complexation efficiency was observed in the order of alpha-CD, gamma-CD, and beta-CD. beta-Lap complexation with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPbeta-CD) prevented drug dissolution in PLGA, and led to fast release (79.6+/-2.1% after 2 days). Sustained drug release was achieved when beta-lap was complexed with alpha-CD or gamma-CD. These data demonstrate the ability to tailor beta-lap release kinetics via CD complexation, providing exciting opportunities for the use of beta-lap-millirods for intratumoral drug delivery.