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A novel polymer gel for the delivery of local therapies to intracranial tumors: In vivo safety evaluation
Author(s) -
Gerber David E.,
Gallia Gary L.,
Tyler Betty M.,
Eberhart Charles G.,
Royer Gar,
Grossman Stuart A.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of biomedical materials research part a
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1552-4965
pISSN - 1549-3296
DOI - 10.1002/jbm.a.33207
Subject(s) - neurotoxicity , in vivo , dextran , materials science , saline , brain tumor , pharmacology , medicine , biomedical engineering , anesthesia , toxicity , pathology , chromatography , chemistry , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
The treatment of intracranial malignancies is limited by the ability of systemically administered therapies to cross the blood–brain barrier. Royer resorbable matrix, or R‐Gel, is a dextran polymer administered in liquid form via needle injection. Within minutes of preparation, the polymer forms a gel and subsequently solidifies, thereby conforming to the dimensions of the injection cavity. R‐Gel can accommodate a wide variety of therapeutic agents that may provide new options for local treatment delivery. This preclinical study evaluates the neurotoxicity of R‐Gel implanted in the rat brain. Fifteen rats underwent intracranial administration of R‐Gel ( N = 9) or saline ( N = 6) were monitored for systemic and neurotoxicity, and sacrificed at pre‐determined time points. Animals that received the R‐Gel injection demonstrated no behavioral changes or weight loss. Histopathologic analysis revealed an inflammatory response in both groups on day 3 and day 7 after implantation, which resolved by day 42. These results suggest that intracranial R‐Gel is well tolerated. Therapeutic studies of chemotherapy‐complexed R‐Gel are underway. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.