U.S. patent application number 09/764052 was filed with the patent office on 2001-07-05 for sustained-release material prepared by dispersing a lyophilized polypeptide in an oil phase.
Invention is credited to Iwasa, Susumu, Kurokawa, Tomofumi, Takada, Shigeyuki.
Application Number | 20010006678 09/764052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 13506129 |
Filed Date | 2001-07-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010006678 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Takada, Shigeyuki ; et
al. |
July 5, 2001 |
Sustained-release material prepared by dispersing a lyophilized
polypeptide in an oil phase
Abstract
Disclosed is a sustained-release preparation characterized in
that it is produced by dispersing in an oil phase a rapidly dried
product containing a bioactive polypeptide and a surfactant, and
subsequent shaping, and a method of its production.
Inventors: |
Takada, Shigeyuki; (Hyogo,
JP) ; Kurokawa, Tomofumi; (Hyogo, JP) ; Iwasa,
Susumu; (Kyoto, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FITZPATRICK CELLA HARPER & SCINTO
30 ROCKEFELLER PLAZA
NEW YORK
NY
10112
US
|
Family ID: |
13506129 |
Appl. No.: |
09/764052 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09764052 |
Jan 19, 2001 |
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08849172 |
May 30, 1997 |
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6190702 |
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08849172 |
May 30, 1997 |
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PCT/JP97/01041 |
Mar 27, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
424/460 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 514/964 20130101;
Y10S 514/963 20130101; A61K 9/1694 20130101; A61K 9/1647
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
424/460 |
International
Class: |
A61K 009/64 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 28, 1996 |
JP |
073016-1996 |
Claims
1. A method of producing a sustained-release preparation, which
comprises dispersing a rapidly dried product containing a bioactive
polypeptide and a surfactant in an oil phase, followed by shaping
of the resulting dispersion.
2. A method of claim 1, wherein the average particle diameter of
the rapidly dried product dispersed in the oil phase is about 0.05
.mu.m to about 50 .mu.m.
3. A method of claim 1, wherein the ratio by weight of the
bioactive polypeptide and the surfactant is about 1:0.001 to about
1:1,000.
4. A method of claim 1, wherein the oil phase is an organic solvent
phase containing a biocompatible polymer.
5. A method of claim 4, wherein the biocompatible polymer
concentration in the organic solvent is about 0.01% (w/w) to about
80% (w/w).
6. A method of claim 4, wherein the ratio of the surfactant used to
the total amount of the bioactive polypeptide, the surfactant and
the biocompatible polymer is about 0.002% (w/w) to about 50%
(w/w).
7. A method of claim 1, wherein the bioactive polypeptide is
soluble in water.
8. A method of claim 1, wherein the bioactive polypeptide is a
hormone.
9. A method of claim 8, wherein the hormone is a growth
hormone.
10. A method of claim 8, wherein the hormone is an insulin.
11. A method of claim 1, wherein the bioactive polypeptide is a
cytokine.
12. A method of claim 11, wherein the cytokine is an interferon or
an interleukin.
13. A method of claim 4, wherein the biocompatible polymer is a
biodegradable polymer.
14. A method of claim 13, wherein the biodegradable polymer is a
fatty acid polyester.
15. A method of claim 14, wherein the fatty acid polyester is a
lactic acid-glycolic acid polymer.
16. A method of claim 14, wherein the molecular weight of the
lactic acid-glycolic acid polymer is about 3,000 to 70,000 and the
lactic acid/glycolic acid content ratio is about 100/0 to about
30/70.
17. A method of claim 14, wherein the fatty acid polyester is a
hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid polymer.
18. A method of claim 17, wherein the molecular weight of the
hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid polymer is about 3,000 to about
70,000 and the hydroxybutyric acid/glycolic acid content ratio is
about 100/0 to about 40/60.
19. A method of claim 1, wherein the surfactant is non-ionic.
20. A method of claim 19, wherein the hydrophile/lipophile balance
(HLB) of the non-ionic surfactant is not less than 10.
21. A method of claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises one or
more nonionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers, polyoxyethylene
hydrogenated castor oils, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, and
polyvinylpyrrolidones.
22. A method of claim 19, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is a
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer.
23. A method of claim 1, wherein the sustained-release preparation
is a microcapsule.
24. A method of claim 23, wherein the average particle diameter of
the microcapsule is about 1.0 .mu.m to about 200 .mu.m.
25. A method of claim 1, wherein the sustained-release preparation
is an injectable preparation.
26. A dispersion of a rapidly dried product containing a bioactive
polypeptide and a surfactant in an oil phase.
27. A dispersion of claim 26, wherein the average particle diameter
of the rapidly dried product dispersed in the oil phase is about
0.05 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m.
28. A preparation useful as a starting material for
sustained-release preparation, which comprises a rapidly dried
product of an aqueous solution or suspension comprising a bioactive
polypeptide and a surfactant dispersed in an oil phase containing a
biocompatible polymer.
29. A sustained-release preparation produced by the method of claim
1.
30. A sustained-release preparation of claim 29, wherein the
bioactive polypeptide is a growth hormone.
31. A medicament for treatment or prevention of growth hormone
deficiency, Turner's syndrome, pituitary dwarfism, chronic renal
disease, achondroplasia, adult hypopituitarism, Down syndrome,
Silver syndrome, hypochondroplasia, osteoporosis and juvenile
chronic arthritis, which comprises the sustained-release
preparation of claim 30.
32. Use of the sustained-release preparation of claim 30 for the
manufacture of a medicament for treatment or prevention of growth
hormone deficiency, Turner's syndrome, pituitary dwarfism, chronic
renal disease, achondroplasia, adult hypopituitarism, Down
syndrome, Silver syndrome, hypochondroplasia, osteoporosis and
juvenile chronic arthritis.
33. A method of treating or preventing growth hormone deficiency,
Turner's syndrome, pituitary dwarfism, chronic renal disease,
achondroplasia, adult hypopituitarism, Down syndrome, Silver
syndrome, hypochondroplasia, osteoporosis and juvenile chronic
arthritis, in a subject, which comprises administrating to the
subject in need an effective amount of the sustained-release
preparation of claim 30.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a sustained-release
preparation suited for sustained release of a bioactive polypeptide
and a method of producing the sustained-release preparation.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Bioactive polypeptides or derivatives thereof are known to
exhibit various pharmacological actions in vivo. As the recent
advances in gene or cell engineering have enabled their production
at high purity and in large amounts, an increased number of such
substances have been brought into clinical application as
pharmaceuticals. When orally administered, however, these bioactive
polypeptides are readily decomposed by enzymes in the
gastrointestinal tract, resulting in very low absorption rates.
Also, many of them are short in biological half-life. For these
reasons, repetitive intramuscular or subcutaneous injection or
intravenous drip infusion is normally used to administer them.
Although these methods are acceptable when administration frequency
is limited to a few times, frequent administration in chronic
diseases poses an extreme burden on the patient's body. For
example, interferon .alpha. (IFN.alpha.) is given to patients with
hepatitis C on consecutive days for 4 weeks or more, and to infant
or young patients with pituitary dwarfism by subcutaneous or
intramuscular administration consecutive days or every two days for
an extended period of time from several months to 10 years or more.
In addition, to achieve symptom remission, complete healing or
linear growth in these diseases, it is reportedly necessary to
maintain clinically useful levels of active ingredients for an
extended period of time. To solve this problem, there have been a
large number of attempts to develop sustained-release preparations
containing a bioactive polypeptide [Clinical Reviews in Therapeutic
Drug Carrier Systems, No. 12, pp. 1-99 (1995)].
[0003] WO94/19020 discloses a method of polypeptide stabilization
by dissolving a mixture of polypeptide and polyol in an organic
solvent. WO94/12158 discloses a sustained-release preparation
obtained by adding a mixture of polymer and growth hormone to an
organic solvent. EPA 251476 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,091, Japanese
Patent Unexamined Publication No. 2930/1988) discloses a matrix
comprising a polypeptide dispersed in polylactide. Japanese Patent
Unexamined Publication Nos. 46116/1992 and 65063/1994 disclose a
method of producing a sustained-release preparation by dissolving a
biodegradable polymer and a fatty acid salt in an organic solvent
and prepared as an o/w emulsion. Japanese Patent Examined
Publication No. 57658/1994 discloses a sustained-release
preparation comprising a bioactive polypeptide uniformly contained
in a carrier consisting of atherocollagen or the mixture of
atherocollagen and gelatin. Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 9, No. 1,
pp. 37-39 (1992), Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 11, No. 2, pp.
337-340 (1994) and the Journal of Controlled Release, Vol. 33, pp.
437-445 (1995) disclose a sustained-release preparation of
bioactive polypeptide from a w/o/w/ emulsion obtained by adding the
polypeptide to a mixed solution of a surfactant and a polymer in an
organic solvent. As stated above, most prior art methods are based
on the w/o/w method wherein a surfactant, if used, and a
biodegradable polymer are dissolved in an organic solvent, and an
aqueous solution of a bioactive polypeptide is added to the
resulting oil phase. The s/o/w method has also been reported
wherein a powdered bioactive polypeptide is added directly to an
oil phase containing a biodegradable polymer and, if used, a
surfactant. However, all these methods fail to provide clinically
practical pharmaceuticals, since decreased stability of the
bioactive polypeptide significantly affects recovery rates or
lowers the quality of the sustained-release preparation
obtained.
[0004] Although there have been reported various attempts to
produce a sustained-release preparation, while retaining the
bioactivity of a bioactive polypeptide, as stated above, there have
been no preparations that are clinically satisfactory in terms of
the ratio of bioactive polypeptide entrapped in biocompatible
polymer, suppression of initial release, long and constant
sustained-release property except some preparations of LH-RH
analogs and so on. Specifically, in preparations of bioactive
polypeptides having higher structure, sufficient yields or
pharmacological effects have not been obtained because the blood
drug concentration is unexpectedly high in the initial stage after
administration, because the drug release rate is not constant
during the sustained-release period, or because the bioactive
polypeptide is denatured during the manufacturing process. Also, in
the case of sustained-release indwellable preparations, other
problems arise, i.e., full compliance cannot be obtained due to
pain at administration site, and the heterozoic collagen for base
may be antigenic.
[0005] Thus, there is demand for the development of a clinically
useful sustained-release preparation exhibiting long and constant
sustained-release, while retaining the bioactivity of a bioactive
polypeptide, and a method of its production.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0006] The present inventors made extensive investigation to solve
the above problems, and unexpectedly found that an excellent
sustained-release preparation with an improved entrapment ratio of
bioactive polypeptide in polymer, dramatically suppressed initial
release, and a long and constant release rate can be obtained by
mixing a bioactive polypeptide and a surfactant, rapidly drying the
mixture, dispersing the resulting fine particles in an oil phase,
and subsequently shaping the dispersion into a sustained-release
preparation. The present inventors made further investigation based
on this finding, and developed the present invention.
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention relates to:
[0008] (1) a method of producing a sustained-release preparation,
which comprises dispersing a rapidly dried product containing a
bioactive polypeptide and a surfactant in an oil phase, followed by
shaping the resulting dispersion; (2) the production method of term
(1) above, wherein the average particle diameter of the rapidly
dried product dispersed in the oil phase is about 0.05 .mu.m to
about 50 .mu.m; (3) the production method of term (1) above,
wherein the ratio by weight of the bioactive polypeptide and the
surfactant is about 1:0.001 to about 1:1,000; (4) the production
method of term (1) above, wherein the oil phase is an organic
solvent phase containing a biocompatible polymer; (5) the
production method of term (4) above, wherein the biocompatible
polymer concentration in the organic solvent is about 0.01% (w/w)
to about 80% (w/w); (6) the production method of term (4) above,
wherein the ratio of surfactant used to the total amount of
bioactive polypeptide, surfactant and biocompatible polymer is
about 0.002% (w/w) to about 50% (w/w); (7) the production method of
term (1) above, wherein the bioactive polypeptide is soluble in
water; (8) the production method of term (1) above, wherein the
bioactive polypeptide is a hormone; (9) the production method of
term (8) above, wherein the hormone is a growth hormone; (10) the
production method of term (8) above, wherein the hormone is an
insulin; (11) the production method of term (1) above, wherein the
bioactive polypeptide is a cytokine; (12) the production method of
term (11) above, wherein the cytokine is an interferon or
interleukin; (13) the production method of term (4) above, wherein
the biocompatible polymer is a biodegradable polymer; (14) the
production method of term (13) above, wherein the biodegradable
polymer is a fatty acid polyester; (15) the production method of
term (14) above, wherein the fatty acid polyester is a lactic
acid-glycolic acid copolymer; (16) the production method of term
(14) above, wherein the molecular weight of the lactic
acid-glycolic acid copolymer is about 3,000 to 70,000 and the
lactic acid/glycolic acid content ratio is about 100/0 to about
30/70; (17) the production method of term (14) above, wherein the
fatty acid polyester is a hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid
copolymer; (18) the production method of term (17) above, wherein
the molecular weight of the hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid
copolymer is about 3,000 to about 70,000 and the hydroxybutyric
acid/glycolic acid content ratio is about 100/0 to about 40/60;
(19) the production method of term (1) above, wherein the
surfactant is non-ionic; (20) the production method of term (19)
above, wherein the hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB) of the
non-ionic surfactant is not less than 10; (21) the production
method of term (1) above, wherein the surfactant comprises 1 or
more nonionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymer, polyoxyethylene
hydrogenated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether and
polyvinylpyrrolidone; (22) the production method of term (19)
above, wherein the nonionic surfactant is
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylen- e copolymer; (23) the production
method of term (1) above, wherein the sustained-release preparation
is a microcapsule; (24) the production method of term (23) above,
wherein the average particle diameter of the microcapsule is about
1.0 to about 200 .mu.m; (25) the production method of term (1)
above, wherein the sustained-release preparation is an injectable
preparation; (26) a dispersion of a rapidly dried product
containing a bioactive polypeptide and a surfactant in an oil
phase; (27) the dispersion of term (26) above, wherein the average
particle diameter of the rapidly dried product dispersed in the oil
phase is about 0.05 .mu.m to 50 .mu.m; (28) a starting material for
sustained-release preparation comprising a rapidly dried product of
an aqueous solution or suspension containing a bioactive
polypeptide and a surfactant dispersed in an oil phase containing a
biocompatible polymer, (29) a sustained-release preparation for
pharmaceutical use produced by the production method of term (1)
above, (30) a sustained-release preparation of term (29), wherein
the bioactive polypeptide is a growth hormone, and (31) a
medicament for treatment or prevention of growth hormone
deficiency, Turner's syndrome, pituitary dwarfism, chronic renal
disease, achondroplasia, adult hypopituitarism, Down syndrome,
Silver syndrome, hypochondroplasia, osteoporosis and juvenile
chronic arthritis, which comprises the sustained-release
preparation of term (30).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Abbreviations for amino acids, peptides and others used in
the present specification are based on abbreviations specified by
the IUPAC-IUB Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature or
abbreviations in common use in relevant fields. When an optical
isomer may be present in amino acid, it is of the L-configuration,
unless otherwise stated.
[0010] The bioactive polypeptide as a component of the present
invention is exemplified by various peptides or proteins that
possess bioactivity beneficial to mammals and that can be used
clinically. Said "bioactive polypeptide" normally has a molecular
weight of, for example, about 2,000 to about 200,000, calculated on
a monomer basis, preferably about 5,000 to about 50,000, and more
preferably about 5,500 to about 30,000. Preferred bioactive
polypeptides include polymers classified in the biochemical field
as proteins having higher structure. Any kind of bioactive
polypeptide can be used for the present invention, as long as the
objective of the present invention is accomplished, typical
examples including growth factors, hormones, cytokines and enzymes.
More specifically, the following polymeric peptides and proteins
may be mentioned as examples.
[0011] (1) Example growth factors include nerve growth factors
(NGF-1, NGF-2 etc.), nerve trophic factor (NTF), epithelial growth
factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like
growth factors (IGF-1, IGF-2, IGF-3 etc.), fibroblast growth
factors (aFGF, bFGF), osteogen growth factors (BMP-1, BMP-2, BMP-3,
BMP-4 etc.), atrial natriuretic factor (ANP) and cartilage
induction factor.
[0012] (2) Example cytokines include interferons (IFN-.alpha.,
.beta., .gamma. etc.), interleukins (IL-1 through IL-11 etc.),
cachectin, oncostatin, colony-stimulating factors (G-, M-, GM-CSF
etc.), thrombopoietin (TPO) and erythropoietin (EPO).
[0013] (3) Example enzymes include tissue plasminogen activator
(tPA), urokinase (UK), streptokinase, protein C, metalloproteases,
superoxide disumutase (SOD), and factors VIII and IX.
[0014] (4) Example hormones include growth hormone (GH), growth
hormone-releasing factor (GRF), insulin, glucagon, gastrin,
prolactin, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), thyroid-stimulating
hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing
hormone (LH), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and
calcitonin.
[0015] The bioactive polypeptide for the present invention is
preferably one having a level of water solubility, the water
solubility at 20.degree. C. being over about 1 mg/100 ml,
preferably over about 100 mg/100 ml.
[0016] Preferable examples of said "bioactive polypeptide" include
hormones (e.g., growth hormones, insulins) and cytokines (e.g.,
interferons, interleukins).
[0017] The bioactive polypeptide for the present invention include
those naturally derived or those produced by gene recombination
(e.g. recombinant human growth hormones (hereinafter referred to
briefly as rhGH)). Such bioactive polypeptides may have a sugar
chain or not, and may have a number of sugar chains of different
structures. Also, they include muteins, derivatives, analogues and
active fragments. The terms "bioactive polypeptides", "growth
hormones", "insulins", "interferons", "interleukins" etc. as used
below are to be understood to include respectively their muteins,
derivatives, analogues, active fragments and those having a sugar
chain.
[0018] The bioactive polypeptide for the present invention may be
in a form of a metal salt and, as long as it is a metal salt that
does not adversely affect the living body, any metal salt may be
used without limitation. For example, such a metal salt may be a
metal salt of a bioactive polypeptide with a water-soluble
polyvalent metal salt. The polyvalent metal in said "water-soluble
polyvalent metal salt" is exemplified by alkaline earth metals
(e.g., calcium, magnesium), zinc (II), iron (II, III), copper (II),
tin (II, IV) and aluminum (II, III), zinc, calcium etc. being
commonly used. Said "water-soluble polyvalent metal" is exemplified
by salts formed between polyvalent metals and acids, e.g., salts of
polyvalent metals and inorganic acids, and salts of polyvalent
metals and organic acids. Said "salt of polyvalent metal and acid"
is preferably a salt having a water solubility of not lower than
about 20 mg/ml at normal temperature (20.degree. C.), more
preferably not lower than about 100 mg/ml, a salt having a
solubility of not lower than about 200 mg/ml being commonly used.
The organic acid in said "salt of polyvalent metal and inorganic
acid" is exemplified by hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric
acid and thiocyanic acid. The organic acid in said "salt of
polyvalent metal and organic acid" is exemplified by aliphatic
carboxylic acids and aromatic acids. Said "aliphatic carboxylic
acid" is exemplified by aliphatic carboxylic acids having 2 to 9
carbon atoms (e.g., aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, aliphatic
dicarboxylic acids, aliphatic tricarboxylic acids). These aliphatic
carboxylic acids may be saturated or unsaturated. Examples of said
"aliphatic monocarboxylic acid" include saturated aliphatic
monocarboxylic acids having 2 to 9 carbon atoms (e.g., acetic acid,
propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, enanthic
acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, caprynic acid) and
unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 2 to 9 carbon
atoms (e.g., acrylic acid, propiolic acid, methacrylic acid,
crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid). Examples of said "aliphatic
dicarboxylic acid" include saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids
having 2 to 9 carbon atoms (e.g., malonic acid, succinic acid,
glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid) and unsaturated aliphatic
dicarboxylic acids having 2 to 9 carbon atoms (e.g., maleic acid,
fumaric acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid). Examples of said
"aliphatic tricarboxylic acid" include saturated aliphatic
tricarboxylic acids having 2 to 9 carbon atoms (e.g.,
tricarballylic acid, 1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid). Said
"aliphatic carboxylic acid" may have 1 or 2 hydroxyl groups. Such
aliphatic carboxylic acids include glycolic acid, lactic acid,
glyceric acid, tartronic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and citric
acid. Said "aliphatic carboxylic acid" is preferably an aliphatic
monocarboxylic acid, more preferably an aliphatic monocarboxylic
acid having 2 to 9 carbon atoms, acetic acid etc. being commonly
used. Examples of said "aromatic acid" include benzoic acid and
salicylic acid, benzoic acid being commonly used. Examples of salts
of polyvalent metals and inorganic acids, i.e., inorganic acid
polyvalent metal salts, include halides (e.g., zinc chloride,
calcium chloride), sulfates, nitrates and thiocyanates. Examples of
salts of polyvalent metals and aliphatic carboxylic acids, i.e.,
aliphatic carboxylic acid polyvalent metal salts, include calcium
acetate, zinc acetate, calcium propionate, zinc glycolate, calcium
lactate, zinc lactate and zinc tartrate. For example, calcium
acetate, zinc acetate etc. are preferred, especially zinc acetate
being commonly used. Examples of salts of polyvalent metals and
aromatic acids, i.e., aromatic acid polyvalent metal salts, include
benzoates and salicylates, especially zinc benzoate being commonly
used.
[0019] The bioactive polypeptide for the present invention is added
to an oil phase after being brought into contact with a surfactant.
By previously mixing the surfactant and the bioactive polypeptide,
the bioactive polypeptide is converted to fine particles that
retain its bioactivity within a clinically useful range, e.g., at
least 50%, and that is stable, resulting in markedly improved
dispersibility in the oil phase. A sustained-release preparation of
high ratio of entrapment of the drug, suppressed initial release
following administration and constant release rate is thus
obtained. Examples of said "oil phase" include organic solvent
phases containing a biocompatible polymer.
[0020] Although said "surfactant" may be ionic or non-ionic, a
nonionic surfactant is preferred. Especially, preferred are
nonionic surfactants having a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) of
not less 10 (preferably 12-30). Such surfactants include
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers [Poloxamers (Asahi
Denka Kogyo): Pluronic F-68, F-87, F-108, F-127, L-44 etc.],
polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters [polysorbates (Nikko
Chemicals): Tween 80, 60, 40, 20 etc.], polyoxyethylene
hydrogenated castor oils [Nikko Chemicals: HCO-60, -50, -40 etc.],
polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers [Nikko chemicals: polyoxyethylene
lauryl ether etc.], sorbitan fatty acid esters [Spans (Nikko
Chemicals): Span 80, 60, 40, 20, sesquioleic acid sorbitan etc.],
sucrose fatty acid esters [DK esters (Daiichi Kogyo): SS, F50, F10
etc.], polyvinyl alcohols, and polyvinylpyrrolidones. Preference is
given to polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers,
polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oils, polyoxyethylene alkyl
ethers and polyvinyl pyrrodidones. Especially,
polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene copolymers such as Poloxamers
(e.g., Pluronic F-68) etc. are commonly used. These non-ionic
surfactants may be used in a mixture of two or more kinds as
appropriate to obtain an appropriate hydrophile-lipophile balance
(HLB). When two or more kinds of non-ionic surfactants are used,
the HLB is preferably not less than 10 (preferably 12 to 30).
[0021] The organic solvent used in said "oil phase" may be any one,
as long as its boiling point is not higher than 120.degree. C.,
that is immiscible in water, and that dissolves the high molecular
polymer. Specifically, such organic solvents include hydrocarbon
halides (e.g., dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride),
fatty acid esters (e.g., ethyl acetate, butyl acetate), ethers
(e.g., ethyl ether, isopropyl ether), and aromatic hydrocarbons
(e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene). These may be used in a mixture of
two or more kinds at any ratio.
[0022] Mixing of a surfactant and a bioactive polypeptide is
normally conducted in an aqueous solution of the bioactive
polypeptide. In this case, the aqueous solution may contain
water-soluble components, including pH regulators (e.g., ammonium
carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium phosphate, acetic
acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide), stabilizers (e.g.,
serum albumin, gelatin), preservatives (e.g., para-oxybenzoic
acids), salts (e.g., sodium chloride), saccharides (e.g., mannitol,
trehalose, dextrose), and amino acids (e.g., glycine, alanine). The
ratio of the surfactant to the bioactive polypeptide is not subject
to limitation, as long as the bioactivity of the bioactive
polypeptide is adjudged clinically useful (e.g., not lower than
50%). For example, the ratio by weight of bioactive polypeptide and
surfactant when they are mixed in water is about 1:0.001 to about
1:1,000, preferably about 1:0.01 to about 1:50, and more preferably
about 1:0.05 to about 1:20. Also, the amount of surfactant used to
the total amount of biodegradable polymer, bioactive polypeptide
and surfactant during production of the sustained-release
preparation of the present invention is generally about 0.002%
(w/w) to about 50% (w/w), preferably about 0.05% (w/w) to about 20%
(w/w).
[0023] Said "rapidly dried product" means a preparation obtained by
drying rapidly a mixture containing a bioactive polypeptide and a
surfactant and the method for rapid drying include, for example,
freeze drying, spray drying, vacuum drying or a combination
thereof. Rapid drying is not subject to limitation regarding
conditions, as long as the bioactivity of the bioactive polypeptide
in the mixture is retained within a clinically useful range (e.g.,
not lower than 50%), and as long as the average particle diameter
of the rapidly dried product dispersed in the oil phase is about
0.05 .mu.m to about 50 .mu.m, preferably about 0.1 .mu.m to about
30 .mu.m, more preferably about 0.1 .mu.m to about 10 .mu.m, but it
is preferably conducted within a temperature range that does not
inactivate the bioactive polypeptide due to thermal
denaturation.
[0024] Said "biocompatible polymer" may be any one without
limitation, as long as it becomes compatible with living body
tissue and causes no deleterious reaction etc. to the living body
after administration to the living body. For example, a
biocompatible polymer that is metabolically decomposed in the
living body and finally excreted from the body is preferred. Of
such biocompatible polymers, high molecular polymers insoluble or
sparingly soluble in water are commonly used. Examples of such
biocompatible polymers include fatty acid polyesters [e.g.,
polymers, copolymers or mixtures thereof synthesized from one or
more .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acids (e.g., glycolic acid, lactic
acid, hydroxybutyric acid), hydroxydicarboxylic acids (e.g., malic
acid), hydroxytricarboxylic acids (e.g., citric acid)],
poly-.alpha.-cyanoacryli- c acid esters and polyamino acids (e.g.,
poly-.gamma.-benzyl-L-glutamic acid). These may be used in a
mixture at any ratio. The type of polymerization may be random,
block or graft. Commonly used biodegradable polymers are fatty acid
polyesters [e.g., polymers, copolymers or mixtures thereof
synthesized from one or more .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acids (e.g.,
glycolic acid, lactic acid, hydroxybutyric acid),
hydroxydicarboxylic acids (e.g., malic acid), hydroxytricarboxylic
acids (e.g., citric acid) and others].
[0025] Of the above-mentioned fatty acid polyesters, homopolymers
and copolymers (hereinafter sometimes referred to briefly as
copolymers including homopolymers and copolymers) synthesized from
one or more .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acids (e.g., glycolic acid,
lactic acid, hydroxybutyric acid) are preferred from the viewpoint
of biodegradability and biocompatibility. Also, these polymers
including homopolymers and copolymers may be used in a mixture at
any ratio.
[0026] The biocompatible polymer for the present invention is
produced by a known method. Although the above-described
.alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid may be of the D- or L-configuration
or a mixture thereof, the ratio of the D-/L-configuration (mol/mol
%) preferably falls within the range from about 75/25 to about
25/75. .alpha.-hydroxy carboxylic acids whose ratio of the
D-/L-configuration (mol/mol %) falls within the range from about
60/40 to about 30/70 is commonly used. Example polymers including
homopolymers and copolymers (hereinafter referred to briefly as
copolymers) of the above-described .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acids
include copolymers of glycolic acid and other .alpha.-hydroxy
carboxylic acids. Preferably examples of said ".alpha.-hydroxy
carboxylic acid" include lactic acid and 2-hydroxybutyric acid.
Examples of preferable copolymers of .alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic
acids include lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer and
2-hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid copolymer, especially, lactic
acid-glycolic acid copolymer being commonly used. Although the
content ratio (lactic acid/glycolic acid) (mol/mol %) of said
"lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer" is not subject to limitation,
as long as the objective of the present invention is accomplished,
it is normally about 100/0 to about 30/70. Said content ratio is
preferably about 90/10 to about 40/60, those having a content ratio
of about 80/20 to about 45/55 being commonly used. Said "lactic
acid-glycolic acid copolymer" has a weight-average molecular weight
of about 3,000 to about 70,000, for example. Preferred is a lactic
acid-glycolic acid copolymer whose weight-average molecular weight
is about 3,000 to about 20,000, those having a weight-average
molecular weight of about 5,000 to 15,000 being commonly used.
Also, the degree of dispersion of said "lactic acid-glycolic acid
copolymer" is preferably about 1.2 to about 4.0, those having a
degree of dispersion of about 1.5 to about 3.5 being commonly used.
Said "lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer" can be synthesized by a
known method, such as that described in Japanese Patent Unexamined
Publication No. 28521/1986. Said copolymer is preferably
synthesized by catalyst-free dehydration polymerization
condensation.
[0027] Although said "2-hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid
copolymer" is not subject to limitation, as long as the objective
of the present invention is accomplished, it is preferable that
glycolic acid account for about 10 to about 75 mol % and
2-hydroxybutyric acid for the remaining portion. More preferably,
glycolic acid accounts for about 20 mol % to about 75 mol %, still
more preferably about 30 mol % to about 70 mol %. The
weight-average molecular weight of said "2-hydroxybutyric
acid-glycolic acid copolymer" is preferably about 2,000 to about
20,000. The degree of dispersion of said "2-hydroxybutyric
acid-glycolic acid copolymer" (weight-average molecular
weight/number-average molecular weight) is preferably about 1.2 to
4.0, more preferably about 1.5 to 3.5. Said "2-hydroxybutyric
acid-glycolic acid copolymer" can be produced by a commonly known
process, such as that described in Japanese Patent Unexamined
Publication No. 28521/1986. It is preferable that said copolymer be
synthesized by catalyst-free dehydration polymerization
condensation.
[0028] Although said ".alpha.-hydroxycarboxylic acid" is not
subject to limitation, as long as the objective of the present
invention is accomplished, lactic acid polymers may be mentioned as
preferable examples of its polymer. The weight-average molecular
weight of said "lactic acid polymer, i.e. polylactic acid" is
preferably about 3,000 to about 20,000, more preferably about 5,000
to about 15,000. Said "polylactic acid" can be produced by a
commonly known process, such as that described in Japanese Patent
Unexamined Publication No. 28521/1986. It is preferable that said
polymer be synthesized by catalyst-free dehydration polymerization
condensation.
[0029] Said "2-hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid copolymer" may be
used in a mixture with a polylactic acid. Although said "polylactic
acid" may be of the D- or L-configuration or a mixture thereof, the
ratio of the D-/L-configuration (mol/mol %) falls within the range
from about 75/25 to about 20/80, for example. Preferred is a
polylactic acid whose ratio of the D-/L-configuration (mol/mol %)
is about 60/40 to about 25/75, with greater preference given to a
polylactic acid whose ratio of the D-/L-configuration (mol/mol %)
is about 55/45 to about 25/75. Said "polylactic acid" has a
weight-average molecular weight of about 1,500 to about 20,000, for
example. Preferred is a polylactic acid whose weight-average
molecular weight is about 1,500 to about 10,000. Also, the degree
of dispersion of said "polylactic acid" is about 1.2 to about 4.0,
preferably about 1.5 to about 3.5. For producing said "polylactic
acid," some methods are known, including ring-opening
polymerization of lactide, a dimer of lactic acid, and dehydration
polycondensation of lactic acid. For obtaining a polylactic acid of
relatively low molecular weight for the present invention, direct
dehydration polycondensation of lactic acid as described in, for
example, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 28521/1986, is
preferred.
[0030] When a 2-hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid copolymer and
polylactic acid are used in a mixture, their mixing ratio is about
10/90 to about 90/10 (% by weight), for example. The mixing ratio
is preferably about 20/80 to about 80/20, more preferably about
30/70 to about 70/30.
[0031] In the present specification, weight-average molecular
weight is defined as the molecular weight based on polystyrene
obtained by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with 9 polystyrenes
as reference substances with respective weight-average molecular
weights of 120,000, 52,000, 22,000, 9,200, 5,050, 2,950, 1,050, 580
and 162. Number-average molecular weight is also calculated by GPC
measurement. Degree of dispersion is calculated from weight-average
molecular weight and number-average molecular weight. GPC
measurements were taken using a GPC column KF804Lx2 (produced by
Showa Denko) and an RI monitor L-3300 (produced by Hitachi, Ltd.)
with chloroform as the mobile phase.
[0032] The biocompatible polymer for the present invention may be
used as a metal salt. The metal salt used to convert said
"biocompatible polymer" into a metal salt thereof may be any one
without limitation, as long as it is a metal salt that does not
adversely affect the living body. Said "metal salt" is exemplified
by salts formed between monovalent or polyvalent metals and
inorganic or organic acids. Said "monovalent metal" is exemplified
by alkali metals (e.g., sodium, potassium). Said "polyvalent metal"
is exemplified by alkaline earth metals (e.g., calcium, magnesium),
zinc (II), iron (II, III), copper (II), tin (II, IV) and aluminum
(II, III). Said "metal" is preferably a polyvalent metal. More
preferred are alkaline earth metals and zinc, esppecially calcium,
zinc etc. being commonly used. Said "inorganic acid" is exemplified
by hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, hydroiodic acid,
hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid and thiocyanic acid.
Said "organic acid" is exemplified by aliphatic carboxylic acids
and aromatic acids. Said "aliphatic carboxylic acid" is exemplified
by aliphatic carboxylic acids having 1 to 9 carbon atoms (e.g.,
aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids,
aliphatic tricarboxylic acids). Said "aliphatic carboxylic acid"
may be saturated or unsaturated. Examples of said "aliphatic
monocarboxylic acid" include saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic
acids having 1 to 9 carbon atoms (e.g., carbonic acid, acetic acid,
propionic acid, butyric acid, valeric acid, caproic acid, enanthic
acid, caprylic acid, pelargonic acid, caprynic acid) and
unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids having 2 to 9 carbon
atoms (e.g., acrylic acid, propiolic acid, methacrylic acid,
crotonic acid, isocrotonic acid). Examples of said "aliphatic
dicarboxylic acid" include saturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acids
having 2 to 9 carbon atoms (e.g., malonic acid, succinic acid,
glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid) and unsaturated aliphatic
dicarboxylic acids having 2 to 9 carbon atoms (e.g., maleic acid,
fumaric acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid). Examples of said
"aliphatic tricarboxylic acid" include saturated aliphatic
tricarboxylic acids having 2 to 9 carbon atoms (e.g.,
tricarballylic acid, 1,2,3-butanetricarboxylic acid). Said
"aliphatic carboxylic acid" may have 1 or 2 hydroxyl groups. Such
aliphatic carboxylic acids include glycolic acid, lactic acid,
glyceric acid, tartronic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid and citric
acid. Said "aliphatic carboxylic acid" is preferably an aliphatic
monocarboxylic acid, more preferably an aliphatic monocarboxylic
acid having 2 to 9 carbon atoms, acetic acid etc. being commonly
used. Said "aromatic acid" is exemplified by benzoic acid,
salicylic acid and phenolsulfonic acid. The metal salt used to
convert the biocompatible polymer into a metal salt is preferably a
salt formed between a polyvalent metal and an inorganic or organic
acid (hereinafter referred to as polyvalent metal salt). Said
"polyvalent metal salt" is exemplified by zinc salts with inorganic
acids [e.g., zinc halides (e.g., zinc chloride, zinc bromide, zinc
iodide, zinc fluoride), zinc sulfate, zinc nitrate, zinc
thiocyanate], zinc salts with organic acids [e.g., aliphatic
carboxylic acid zinc salts (e.g., zinc carbonate, zinc acetate,
zinc glycolate, zinc lactate, zinc tartrate), aromatic acid zinc
salts (e.g., zinc benzoate, zinc salicylate, zinc
phenolsulfonate)], calcium salts with inorganic acids [e.g.,
calcium halides (e.g., calcium chloride, calcium bromide, calcium
iodide, calcium fluoride), calcium sulfate, calcium nitrate,
calcium thiocyanate], and calcium salts with organic acids [e.g.,
aliphatic carboxylic acid calcium salts (e.g., calcium carbonate,
calcium acetate, calcium propionate, calcium oxalate, calcium
tartrate, calcium lactate, calcium citrate, calcium gluconate),
aromatic acid calcium salts (e.g., calcium benzoate, calcium
salicylate)]. Of these examples of said "polyvalent metal salts",
zinc acetate, calcium acetate etc. are commonly used.
[0033] The sustained-release preparation of the present invention
is prepared by dispersing a solid or semi-solid component obtained
by mixing a bioactive polypeptide and a surfactant in an oil phase
containing a biocompatible polymer. When a bioactive polypeptide
and a surfactant are mixed, a rapidly dried product obtained by
rapidly drying a mixture (e.g., aqueous solution or suspension
preferred) containing them. Because the rapidly dried product of
the present invention is preferably uniformly dispersed in an oil
phase in the form of finer particles after being dispersed in the
oil phase, it is preferable that it be subjected to ultrasonic
irradiation, particle size reduction using a homogenizer, or the
like. Said "sustained-release preparation" can be produced by, for
example, the aqueous drying method, phase separation method, spray
drying method and methods based thereon.
[0034] Some production methods for sustained-release preparations
in the form of, for example, microcapsules, are described
below.
[0035] (a) In-water drying method (s/o/w method)
[0036] In this method, a bioactive polypeptide and a surfactant are
first mixed and subsequently subjected to rapid drying (e.g.,
freeze-drying, vacuum drying) to yield a rapidly dried product. In
the meantime, an organic solvent solution containing a
biocompatible polymer is prepared. The organic solvent used to
produce the sustained-release preparation of the present invention
preferably has a boiling point not higher than 120.degree. C.
Examples of said "organic solvent" include halogenated hydrocarbons
(e.g., dichloromethane, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride) and fatty
acid esters (e.g., ethyl acetate, butyl acetate). These may be used
in combination at appropriate ratios. Said "organic solvent" is
preferably dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, or the like,
dichloromethane being commonly used. Depending on the molecular
weight of the biocompatible polymer, type of the organic solvent
and other factors, the biocompatible polymer concentration in the
organic solvent solution is normally chosen over the range from
about 0.01% (w/w) to about 80% (w/w), preferably about 0.1% (w/w)
to about 70% (w/w), those having a biocompatible polymer of about
1% (w/w) to about 60% (w/w) being commonly used.
[0037] To the thus-obtained organic solvent solution containing the
biocompatible polymer, the above-described rapidly dried product of
bioactive polypeptide and surfactant is added and dispersed by
homogenization, for example, with use of a vortex mixer. The
resulting s/o suspension permits improvement of dispersibility by
emulsification using a homogenizer like Polytron (produced by
Kinematica), ultrasonication, or the like. This s/o emulsion is
then added to an aqueous phase containing an additional surfactant
(e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, carboxymethyl
cellulose), and treated using a turbine type mechanical stirrer or
the like to yield an s/o/w emulsion, after which the oil phase
solvent is evaporated to produce microcapsules. The volume of the
aqueous phase is chosen over the range from about 1 to about 10,000
times, preferably about 2 to about 5,000 times, more preferably
about 5 to about 2,000 times, the volume of the oil phase. In this
case, pH regulators (e.g., acetic acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium
hydroxide), stabilizers (e.g., serum albumin, gelatin),
preservatives (e.g, para-oxybenzoic acids) and, as osmotic pressure
regulators, salts (e.g., sodium chloride), saccharides (e.g.,
mannitol) etc. may be added to said "aqueous phase."
[0038] The microcapsules thus obtained are collected by
centrifugation or filtration, after which they are repeatedly
washed several times with distilled water to remove the emulsifier
etc. adhering to the microcapsule surface, then re-dispersed in
distilled water etc., with the addition of mannitol etc. as
necessary, followed by freeze drying. The water and organic solvent
in the microcapsules are then removed by heating under reduced
pressure as necessary. Regarding heating conditions, for example,
the microcapsules are heated to a temperature higher by about
5.degree. C. than the intermediate glass transition point of the
biocompatible polymer at a rate of 10 to 20.degree. C. per minute,
using a differential scanning calorimeter; after the microcapsules
have reached a given temperature, constant temperature is
maintained for 1 week, preferably for 2 or 3 days, and more
preferably for about 1 to 24 hours.
[0039] (b) Phase separation method (coacervation method)
[0040] In producing microcapsules by this method, a coacervating
agent is added little by little to the s/o emulsion of a bioactive
polypeptide, a surfactant and a biocompatible polymer described in
term (a) above during stirring, to separate and solidify the
microcapsules. Said "coacervating agent" is added in an amount by
volume of about 0.01 to about 2,000 times, preferably about 0.05 to
about 500 times, and more preferably about 0.1 to about 200 times,
the volume of the emulsion. Said "coacervating agent" may be any
one, as long as it is a polymer, a mineral oil or a vegetable oil
that is miscible in the organic solvent used as the solvent for the
biocompatible polymer and that does not dissolve said
"biocompatible polymer." Specifically, useful coacervating agents
include silicon oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, corn oil, cotton seed
oil, coconut oil, linseed oil, mineral oil, n-hexane and n-heptane.
These may be used in combination. The microcapsules thus obtained
are collected by centrifugation or filtration, after which they are
repeatedly washed with heptane etc. to remove the coacervating
agent. The microcapsules are then washed in the same manner as in
term (a) above and then freeze-dried.
[0041] In microcapsule production by said "in-water drying method"
or "phase separation method," an anticoagulant or antiflocculant
(hereinafter referred to as anticoagulant) may be added to prevent
particle aggregation. Said "anticoagulant" is exemplified by
water-soluble polysaccharides such as mannitol, lactose, glucose,
starches (e.g., corn starch), hyaluronic acid or alkali metal salts
thereof; proteins such as fibrinogen and collagen; and inorganic
salts such as sodium chloride and sodium hydrogen phosphate.
[0042] (c) Spray drying method
[0043] In producing microcapsules by this method, an s/o emulsion
containing a bioactive polypeptide, a surfactant and a
biocompatible polymer described in term (a) above is sprayed via a
nozzle into the drying chamber of a spray drier to volatilize the
organic solvent in the fine droplets in a very short time, to yield
fine particles. Said "nozzle" is exemplified by the double-fluid
nozzle, pressure nozzle and rotary disc nozzle. To prevent
aggregation on coagulation where desired, the anticoagulant
described in term (b) above may be sprayed via another nozzle. The
microcapsules thus obtained may have the water and organic solvent
removed at increased temperature under reduced pressure in the same
manner as in term (a) above, when necessary.
[0044] The sustained-release preparation of the present invention
can be administered as above-obtained microcapsules as such or in
the form of various dosage forms prepared from these microcapsules
as a starting material, e.g., non-oral preparations (e.g.,
intramuscular, subcutaneous, visceral, periosteal or articular
injections or indwellable preparations, nasal, rectal or uterine
transmucosal preparations) and oral preparations [e.g., capsules
(e.g., hard capsules, soft capsules), solid preparations such as
granules and powders, liquid preparations such as suspensions].
[0045] The sustained-release preparation of the present invention
is preferably an injectable preparation. When the microcapsules
obtained by one of the above-described methods are applied for an
injectable preparation, they can be prepared as a sustained-release
injectable preparation by suspending microcapsules in water, along
with a dispersing agent (e.g., surfactants such as Tween 80 and
HCO-60, polysaccharides such as carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium
alginate and sodium hyaluronate, protamine sulfate, polyethylene
glycol 400), a preservative (e.g., methyl paraben, propyl paraben),
an isotonizing agent (e.g., sodium chloride, mannitol, sorbitol,
glucose), a local anesthetizing agent (e.g., xylocaine
hydrochloride, chlorobutanol) etc., to yield an aqueous suspension,
or by dispersing it in a vegetable oil such as sesame oil or corn
oil with or without a phospholipid such as lecithin or a
moderate-chain fatty acid triglyceride (e.g., MIGLYOL 812), to
yield an oily suspension.
[0046] When the sustained-release preparation is a microcapsule,
for example, it is particularly preferable that it be in a fine
particle form. When the microcapsule is used as an injectable
suspension, its average particle diameter is chosen over the range
from about 0.1 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m, for instance, as long as the
requirements concerning the degree of dispersion and needle passage
are met. Preferably, said "fine particles" have an average particle
diameter of about 1 .mu.m to 200 .mu.m, those having a particle
diameter falling within the range from about 2 .mu.m to 100 .mu.m
being commonly used.
[0047] The above-described microcapsule can be prepared as a
sterile preparation without limitation by the method in which the
entire production process is sterile, the method in which gamma
rays are used as sterilant, and the method in which an antiseptic
is added.
[0048] With low toxicity, the sustained-release preparation of the
present invention can be safely used in mammals (e.g., humans,
bovines, swines, dogs, cats, mice, rats, rabbits).
[0049] Indications for the sustained-release preparation of the
present invention vary according to the bioactive polypeptide used.
For example, the sustained-release preparation of the present
invention is effective in the treatment or prevention of diabetes
mellitus etc. when said "bioactive polypeptide" is an insulin;
growth hormone deficiency, Turner's syndrome, pituitary drawfism,
chronic renal disease, achondroplasia, adult hypopituitarism, Down
syndrome, Silver syndrome, hypochondroplasia, osteoporosis,
juvenile chronic arthritis, etc. when the bioactive polypeptide is
a growth hormone; viral hepatitis (e.g., hepatitis C, HBe antigen
positive active hepatitis), cancers (e.g., renal cancer, multiple
myeloma) etc. when the bioactive polypeptide is an
interferon-.alpha.; anemia (e.g., anemia during renal dialysis)
etc. when the bioactive polypeptide is an erythropoietin or a
thrombopoietin; neutropenia (e.g., during anticancer agent
therapy), infectious diseases etc. when the bioactive polypeptide
is G-CSF; cancers (e.g., hemangioendothelioma, renal cancer) etc.
when the bioactive polypeptide is an IL-2; digestive ulcers etc.
when the bioactive polypeptide is a FGF; thrombocytopenia etc. when
the bioactive polypeptide is FGF-9; senile dementia, neuropathy
etc. when the bioactive polypeptide is a NGF; thrombosis etc. when
the bioactive polypeptide is a tPA, and cancers etc. when the
bioactive polypeptide is a tumor necrosis factor.
[0050] Depending on the type and content of the bioactive
polypeptide, duration of release, target disease, subject animal
and other factors, the dose of the sustained-release preparation
may be set at any level, as long as an effective concentration of
said "bioactive polypeptide" is retained in the body. The dose per
administration of said "bioactive polypeptide" may be chosen as
appropriate over the range from about 0.0001 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg body
weight for each adult, when the preparation is a 1-week
preparation. More preferably, the dose may be chosen as appropriate
over the range from about 0.0005 mg/kg to 1 mg/kg body weight.
Dosing frequency may be chosen as appropriate, e.g., once weekly,
once every two weeks, or once monthly, depending on type, content
and dosage form of said "bioactive polypeptide," duration of
release, subject disease, subject animal and other factors.
[0051] For administration to a patient with pituitary dwarfism, a
2-week sustained preparation whose active ingredient is human
growth hormone, for example, is normally administered at a dose
chosen as appropriate over the range from about 0.01 mg/kg to about
5 mg/kg body weight, preferably about 0.03 mg/kg to about 1 mg/kg
body weight, based on the active ingredient, preferably once every
two weeks. When the bioactive polypeptide is insulin, the dose for
a diabetic patient is normally chosen over the range from about
0.001 to about 1 mg/kg body weight, preferably about 0.01 to about
0.2 mg/kg, preferably once weekly.
[0052] Although the preparation of the present invention may be
stored at normal temperature or in a cold place, it is preferable
to store it in a cold place. Normal temperature and a cold place
mentioned herein are as defined by the Pharmacopoeia of Japan;
specifically, 15 to 25.degree. C. for normal temperatures and under
15.degree. C. for cold places.
[0053] The sustained-release preparation of the present invention
is advantageous in that initial release is suppressed to ensure a
constant release rate over an extended period of time by mixing a
bioactive polypeptide and a surfactant, followed by rapid drying,
uniformly dispersing the rapidly dried product in an oil phase, and
subsequently shaping the dispersion into a sustained-release
preparation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0054] FIG. 1 shows the results of Test Example 1 wherein the two
kinds of microcapsules obtained in accordance with Example 1 and
Comparative Example 1 were subcutaneously administered to SD rats
and change in the rhGH concentration in the serum with the lapse of
time was examined.
[0055] FIG. 2 shows the results of Test Example 2 wherein the two
kinds of microcapsules obtained in accordance with Example 1 and
Comparative Example 2 were subcutaneously administered to SD rats
and change in the rhGH concentration in the serum with the lapse of
time was examined.
[0056] FIG. 3 shows the results of Test Example 3, wherein the
three kinds of microcapsules obtained in accordance with methods A,
B of Example 7 and the method of Comparative Example 3 were
subcutaneously administered to SD rats and change in the rhGH
concentration in the serum with the lapse of time was examined.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0057] The present invention is hereinafter described in more
detail by means of, but not limited to, the following working
examples and test examples.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0058] After 60 mg of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and
20 mg of Pluronic F-68 were dissolved in 6 ml of distilled water,
the solution was freeze-dried. The resulting powder was dispersed
in a solution of 1,920 mg of a lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer
(lactic acid/glycolic acid=75/25; average molecular weight 8,400,
based on polystyrene) in 2.5 ml of methylene chloride, and
subjected to size reduction using Polytron, after which it was
prepared as an s/o/w emulsion in 800 ml of a 0.1% aqueous solution
of PVA being cooled at 15.degree. C. using a homogenizer. This
emulsion was then gradually stirred for 3 hours using an ordinary
propeller type mechanical stirrer. After solidification with
methylene chloride volatilization, microcapsules were collected
using a centrifuge and simultaneously washed with purified water.
The collected microcapsules were freeze-dried for one day to yield
a powder.
Comparative Example 1
[0059] After 60 mg of rhGH was dissolved in 6 ml of distilled
water, the solution was freeze-dried. The resulting powder was
dispersed in a solution of 1,940 mg of a lactic acid-glycolic acid
copolymer (lactic acid/glycolic acid=75/25; average molecular
weight 8,400, based on polystyrene) in 2.5 ml of methylene
chloride, and subjected to size reduction using Polytron, after
which it was prepared as an s/o/w emulsion in 800 ml of a 0.1%
aqueous solution of PVA being cooled at 15.degree. C. using a
homogenizer. The same procedure as the method of Example 1 was then
followed to yield a microcapsule powder. Table 1 shows the
characteristics of the microcapsules obtained by the methods of
Example 1 and Comparative Example 1.
1TABLE 1 Release Percentage rhGH En- during the first 1 Production
trapment day (in vitro Method Surfactant Ratio Release Test)
Example 1 Pluronic F-68 105% 38% Compara- Not added 63% 68% tive
Example 1
[0060] From the results in Table 1, it is evident that the addition
of a surfactant (Pluronic F-68) improves rhGH entrapment ratio of
microcapsules, and suppresses initial release (one-day release) in
the in vitro release test.
Comparative Example 2
[0061] After 60 mg of rhGH was dissolved in 6 ml of distilled
water, the solution was freeze-dried. The powder obtained was
dispersed in a solution of 20 mg of Pluronic F-68 and 1,920 mg of a
lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (lactic acid/glycolic
acid=75:25, polystyrene-based average molecular weight 8,400) in
2.5 ml of methylene chloride, and micronized using Polytron. This
was then treated in 800 ml of a 0.1% aqueous solution of PVA being
cooled to 15.degree. C., using a homogenizer, to yield an s/o/w
emulsion. The same procedure as Example 1 was then followed to
yield a microcapsule powder.
[0062] Table 2 shows the characteristics of the microcapsules
obtained by the methods of Example 1 and Comparative Example 2.
2TABLE 2 Release Percentage rhGH En- during the first 1 Production
trapment day (in vitro Method Surfactant Ratio Release Test)
Example 1 Pluronic F-68 105% 38% freeze-dried Compara- Pluronic
F-68 69% 62% tive dissolved in Example 2 oil phase
[0063] The results shown in Table 2 demonstrate that the
microcapsules prepared by the method of Example 1 using a
freeze-dried powder obtained after a surfactant (Pluronic F-68) was
added to rhGH exhibited an increased ratio of rhGH entrapment in
microcapsules and suppressed initial drug release (daily release)
in the in vitro release test, in comparison with those prepared by
the method of Comparative Example 2 using an oil phase
(dichloromethane) in which the same amount of surfactant was
dissolved.
Example 2
[0064] After 100 mg of rhGH and 100 mg of Pluronic F-68 were
dissolved in 20 ml of distilled water, the solution was
freeze-dried. The resulting powder was dispersed in a solution of
1,800 mg of a lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (lactic
acid/glycolic acid=50/50; average molecular weight 10,100, based on
polystyrene) in 2.5 ml of ethyl acetate, and subjected to size
reduction using Polytron, after which it was prepared as an s/o/w
emulsion in 800 ml of a 0.5% aqueous solution of PVA being cooled
at 15.degree. C. using a homogenizer. This emulsion was then
gradually stirred for 3 hours using an ordinary propeller type
mechanical stirrer. After solidification with ethyl acetate
volatilization, microcapsules were collected using a centrifuge and
simultaneously washed with purified water. The collected
microcapsules were freeze-dried for one day to yield a powder.
Example 3
[0065] After 50 mg of rhGH, 50 mg of Pluronic F-68 and 10 mg of
HCO-60 were dissolved in 10 ml of distilled water, the solution was
freeze-dried. The resulting powder was dispersed in a solution of
1,890 mg of a hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid copolymer
(hydroxybutyric acid/glycolic acid= 75/25; average molecular weight
12,000, based on polystyrene) in 5 ml of methylene chloride, and
subjected to size reduction using Polytron, after which it was
prepared as an s/o/w emulsion in 1,000 ml of a 0.2% aqueous
solution of PVA containing 5% mannitol, being cooled at 15.degree.
C., using a homogenizer. This emulsion was then gradually stirred
for 3 hours using an ordinary propeller type mechanical stirrer.
After solidification with methylene chloride volatilization,
microcapsules were collected using a centrifuge and simultaneously
washed with purified water. The collected microcapsules were
freeze-dried for one day to yield a powder.
Example 4
[0066] After 10 mg of interferon-.alpha. and 30 mg of Pluronic F-68
were dissolved in 10 ml of distilled water, the solution was
freeze-dried. The resulting powder was dispersed in a solution of
1,960 mg of a hydroxybutyric acid-glycolic acid copolymer
(hydroxybutyric acid/glycolic acid=75/25; average molecular weight
12,000, based on polystyrene) in 5 ml of methylene chloride, and
subjected to size reduction using Polytron, after which it was
prepared as an s/o/w emulsion in 1,000 ml of a 0.2% aqueous
solution of PVA being cooled at 15.degree. C. using a homogenizer.
This emulsion was then gradually stirred for 3 hours using an
ordinary propeller type mechanical stirrer. After solidification
with methylene chloride volatilization, microcapsules were
collected using a centrifuge and simultaneously washed with
purified water. The collected microcapsules were freeze-dried for
one day to yield a powder.
Example 5
[0067] To 4.7 ml of an aqueous solution containing 60 mg of rhGH
and 2 mg of Pluronic F-68, 0.5 ml of an aqueous solution containing
100 mg of salmon-derived free protamine was added, followed by slow
stirring at 25.degree. C. for 20 minutes, to yield an insoluble
complex, which was then freeze-dried. The powder obtained was
dispersed in a solution of 1,838 mg of a polylactic acid polymer
(lactic acid 100%, polystyrene-based average molecular weight
9,000) whose carboxyl group terminal was previously completely
ethyl-esterified, in 5 ml of methylene chloride, and micronized
using Polytron at 15,000 rpm for 1 minute, then by ultrasonication
for 2 minutes. This was then treated in 800 ml of a 0.1% aqueous
solution of PVA containing 5% mannitol being cooled to 15.degree.
C., using a homogenizer, to yield an s/o/w emulsion. This emulsion
was then slowly stirred for 3 hours using an ordinary propeller
type mechanical stirrer; after solidification with methylene
chloride volatilization, microcapsules were collected using a
centrifuge and simultaneously washed with purified water. The
collected microcapsules were freeze-dried for one day to yield a
powder.
Example 6
[0068] After 75 mg of rhGH and 15 mg of polyoxyethylene
hydrogenated castor oil HCO-60 were dissolved in 15 ml of 5 mM
ammonium hydrogen carbonate buffer (pH 7.8), an aqueous solution of
zinc acetate (5 mg/ml) was gradually added to yield an insoluble
complex (rhGH:Zn=1:7 by molar ratio). After centrifugation, the
residue was re-dispersed in a small amount of distilled water and
freeze-dried. The powder obtained was dispersed in a solution of
1,425 mg of a lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (lactic
acid/glycolic acid=50:50, polystyrene-based average molecular
weight 15,000) in 2 ml of methylene chloride, and micronized by
ultrasonication for 5 minutes, then using Polytron at 15,000 rpm
for 1 minute. This was then treated in 800 ml of a 0.1% aqueous
solution of PVA containing 10% mannitol being cooled to 15.degree.
C., using a homogenizer, to yield an s/o/w emulsion. The same
procedure as Example 5 was then followed to yield
microcapsules.
Example 7
[0069] Method A:
[0070] After 75 mg of rhGH and 15 mg of Pluronic F-68 were
dissolved in 6 ml of distilled water, the solution was
freeze-dried. The powder obtained was dispersed in a solution of
1,410 mg of a lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (lactic
acid/glycolic acid=50:50, polystyrene-based average molecular
weight 15,000) in 3 ml of methylene chloride, and mixed using a
vortex mixer for about 30 seconds. After 0.1 ml of this s/o
dispersion was diluted with methylene chloride, rhGH particle
diameter was determined using a laser diffraction particle size
distribution analyzer. The above s/o dispersion was treated in 800
ml of a 0.1% aqueous solution of PVA containing 10% mannitol being
cooled to 15.degree. C., using a homogenizer, to yield an s/o/w
emulsion. The same procedure as Example 5 was then followed to
yield microcapsules.
[0071] Method B:
[0072] After 75 mg of rhGH and 15 mg of Pluronic F-68 were
dissolved in 6 ml of distilled water, the solution was
freeze-dried.
[0073] The powder obtained was dispersed in a solution of 1,410 mg
of a lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (lactic acid/glycolic
acid=50:50, polystyrene-based average molecular weight 15,000) in 3
ml of methylene chloride, and thoroughly micronized by
ultrasonication for 5 minutes, then using Polytron at 15,000 rpm
for 1 minute. After 0.1 ml of this s/o dispersion was diluted with
methylene chloride, rhGH particle diameter was determined using a
laser diffraction particle size distribution analyzer. The above
s/o dispersion was treated in the same manner as Example 5 to yield
microcapsules.
Comparative Example 3
[0074] After 75 mg of rhGH and 15 mg of Pluronic F-68 were
dissolved in 6 ml of distilled water, the solution was
freeze-dried. The powder obtained was dispersed in a solution of
1,410 mg of a lactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (lactic
acid/glycolic acid=50:50, polystyrene-based average molecular
weight 15,000) in 3 ml of methylene chloride, and mixed using a
vortex mixer for about 30 seconds. After 0.1 ml of this s/o
dispersion was diluted with methylene chloride, rhGH particle
diameter was determined using a laser diffraction particle size
distribution analyzer. The above s/o dispersion was treated by the
same procedure as Example 7-Method A to yield microcapsules.
[0075] Table 3 shows the characteristics of the microcapsules
obtained by methods A and B and the method of Comparative Example
3.
3TABLE 3 Mean Particle Diameter Method of of rhGH in s/o Production
Dispersion rhGH Entrapment Ratio Example 7- 12.1 .mu.m 97% Method A
Example 7- 6.2 .mu.m 103% Method B Comparative 40.3 .mu.m 71%
Example 3
[0076] The results shown in Table 3 demonstrate that the
microcapsules prepared in accordance with the present invention
using an s/o dispersion containing rhGH particles not more than 20
.mu.m in mean particle diameter exhibited an increased rhGH
entrapment ratio, in comparison with those prepared without rapidly
drying rhGH with a surfactant using an s/o dispersion containing
rhGH particles not less than 30 .mu.m in mean particle
diameter.
Test Example 1
[0077] The two kinds of microcapsules obtained in Example 1 and
Comparative Example 1 above were each subcutaneously administered
to SD rats (male, 6 weeks of age) at 15 mg/kg, and their serum
concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay (Ab beads HGH,
Eiken Kagaku). The results are shown in FIG. 1.
[0078] By the addition of Pluronic F-68, the rise in serum rhGH
concentration as often noted early after administration of s/o/w
type microcapsules was suppressed, enabling more stable sustained
release of the drug for an extended period of time. As a result,
the ratio of AUC (Area Under the concentration) during the first 1
day to AUC during 18 days, an index of initial release in vivo, was
suppressed to 56% in the presence of Pluronic F-68, in comparison
with 94% in the absence of surfactants.
Test Example 2
[0079] The two kinds of microcapsules obtained by the methods of
Example 1 and that of Comparative Example 2 above were each
subcutaneously administered at 15 mg/kg to SD rats (male, 6 weeks
of age); their serum concentrations were determined by the
radioimmunoassay described in Test Example 1. The results obtained
are shown in FIG. 2.
[0080] The microcapsules prepared by the method of Example 1 using
a freeze-dried powder obtained after Pluronic F-68 was added to
rhGH exhibited more stable sustained release, with a lower increase
in serum rhGH concentration early after administration, in
comparison with those prepared by the method of Comparative Example
1 using an oil phase (dichloromethane) in which the same amount of
surfactant was dissolved. As a result, the microcapsules prepared
by the method of Example 1 showed 188 ng/ml serum concentration one
hour after administration, while those by the method of Comparative
Example 2 showed 574 ng/ml. The ratio of AUC for the first 1 day to
that for 18 days, an index of initial release in vivo, was
suppressed to 56% in the method of Example 1 involving
freeze-drying of Pluronic F-68/rhGH, in comparison with 67% in the
method of Comparative Example 2 involving Pluronic F-68 addition to
the oil phase.
Test Example 3
[0081] The three kinds of microcapsules obtained by methods A, B
and the method of Comparative Example 3 described above were each
subcutaneously administered at 15 mg/kg to SD rats (male, 6 weeks
of age); their serum concentrations were determined by the
radioimmunoassay described in Test Example 1. The results obtained
are shown in FIG. 3.
[0082] By the addition of Pluronic F-68, the rise in serum rhGH
concentration as often noted early after administration of s/o/w
type microcapsules was suppressed, enabling more stable sustained
release of the drug for an extended period of time. As a result,
the ratio of AUC (Area Under the concentration) during the first 1
day to AUC during 14 days, an index of initial release in vivo, was
suppressed to 47% in the presence of Pluronic F-68, by mixing with
a vortex mixer and to 49% in the presence of Pluronic F-68 by
treatment with ultrasonication/polytron in comparison with 79% in
the absence of surfactants.
Industrial Applicability
[0083] The present invention provides the sustained-release
preparation, which is useful in that initial release of the
bioactive polypeptide as an active ingredient is suppressed to
permit a constant release over a prolonged period.
* * * * *