Injectable thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymers-based hydrogels as carriers for interleukin-2

Thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymers with the DL-lactide/glycolide molar ratio ranging from 6/1 to 15/1 were synthesized by bulk copolymerization of DL-lactide, glycolide and PEG1500. The resulting copolymers are soluble in water to form a freely flowing fluid at room temperature but become hydrogels at body temperature. The release of IL-2 from the copolymer-based hydrogel in the phosphate buffer (pH 7.2) was studied at 37 degrees C under agitation. IL-2 was released from the copolymer-based hydrogels over 20 days in vitro and the release rate decreased with increasing copolymer concentration. The change of DL-lactide/glycolide molar ratio in the PLGA block of the copolymer had little effect on the IL-2 release. The released IL-2 remained 57-90% of its original activity during the release period. To evaluate the anti-tumor effect of the IL-2 loaded copolymer, solutions were injected subcutaneously to H22 tumor-bearing mice. IL-2 loaded copolymer hydrogel for in vivo use showed good anti-tumor effect. These results indicate that the thermosensitive PLGA-PEG-PLGA triblock copolymers could be a promising platform for sustained delivery of IL-2.