Preclinical Toxicity of Paclitaxel Biopolymer Formulation

Poly(hydroxyalkanoates) (PHA) have recently attracted increasing attention due to their biodegradability and high biocompatibility, which makes them suitable for the development of new prolong drug formulations.

A preclinical toxicology study of paclitaxel biopolymer formulation (PBF) (paclitaxel-loaded poly(3- hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) microparticles) was done in order to assess its safety and to forecast side and toxic effects in a clinical study on patients.

PHB microparticles loaded with antitumor cytostatic drug PTX were obtained by spray-drying method using Nano Spray Dryer B-90. The comprehensive study of cytotoxicity (on bone marrow stem cells), acute and chronic toxicity, allergenic and pyrogenic properties, histological investigation (in mice, rats and rabbits) of obtained PBF was carried out.

The acute toxicity study showed that PBF is much less toxic in equivalent PTX-content doses than PTX in conventional formulation when administered intraperitoneally to mice and rats. However, the chronic toxicity study showed that at intraperitoneal administration PBF has distinct cumulative properties and toxic effects that prevent PBF from clinical testing in current composition.

Thus, the PBF as a prolong drug needs to correct its parameters for further drug formulation development.