SN-38:β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex for in situ solidifying injectable polymer implants

One of the most useful techniques to treat cancer is chemotherapy. However, anticancer drugs, such as SN-38, have limited solubility with strong side effects. This work aims to use SN-38:β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) inclusion complex for an injectable polymeric in situ forming implant containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), poly(ε-caprolactone), and poly(D, L-lactide). It was found that implant formation and SN-38 encapsulation efficiency directly depended on weight ratio of SN-38 and β-CD. At the ratio of SN-38:β-CD of 1:7, the implant could not be formed perfectly and had lower encapsulation efficiency. Reduction of the amount of β-CD to the ratio of 1:3 showed the higher encapsulation efficiency at 89.7 %. SN-38 release rate was also found to depend on β-CD content and the implant weight. In addition, their active form was protected when encapsulated inside implants.