Anti-cancer effects of docetaxel loaded thermo-reversible hydrogels in a tumor xenograft mice model

Abstract

Thermo-reversible hydrogels consisting of low molecular weight methycellulose (LMwMC), pluronic F127 polymer and ammonium sulfate (AS) were optimized for controlled release of the hydrophobic drug, docetaxel (DTX). DTX loaded themo-reversible hydrogels showed sustained release of DTX over 25 days with no significant burst release. Compared to free DTX, DTX loaded hydrogel significantly reduced tumor growth and increased the survival rate of B16-F10 melanoma cancer cell bearing mice. Injectable and thermo-reversible hydrogels can be widely applied as efficient carriers for hydrophobic anti-cancer drugs.