U.S. patent application number 16/581817 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-16 for drug loaded microspheres for post-operative chronic pain.
The applicant listed for this patent is Covidien LP. Invention is credited to Phillip Blaskovich, Rachit Ohri, Gary R. Strichartz.
Application Number | 20200016081 16/581817 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54199082 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200016081 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ohri; Rachit ; et
al. |
January 16, 2020 |
DRUG LOADED MICROSPHERES FOR POST-OPERATIVE CHRONIC PAIN
Abstract
A microsphere is disclosed. The microsphere includes at least
one biodegradable polymer and at least one local anesthetic,
wherein about 75% of the at least one local anesthetic is released
by about 72 hours and from about 80% to about 90% of the at least
one local anesthetic is released by about 120 hours, thereby
relieving chronic pain for at least 28 days.
Inventors: |
Ohri; Rachit; (Framingham,
MA) ; Strichartz; Gary R.; (Natick, MA) ;
Blaskovich; Phillip; (Salem, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Covidien LP |
Mansfield |
MA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54199082 |
Appl. No.: |
16/581817 |
Filed: |
September 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14848385 |
Sep 9, 2015 |
10449152 |
|
|
16581817 |
|
|
|
|
62056129 |
Sep 26, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 31/445 20130101;
A61K 9/0024 20130101; A61P 29/00 20180101; A61P 23/02 20180101;
A61K 9/1647 20130101; A61P 25/04 20180101; A61P 25/00 20180101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 9/16 20060101
A61K009/16; A61K 31/445 20060101 A61K031/445 |
Claims
1.-18. (canceled)
19. A method for treating chronic pain comprising: implanting at
least one microsphere at a treatment site, the microsphere
including poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and a plurality of active
pharmaceutical ingredients; wherein about 75% of the plurality of
active pharmaceutical ingredients is released by about 72 hours and
from about 80% to about 90% of the plurality of active
pharmaceutical ingredients is released by about 120 hours; and
relieving chronic pain for at least 28 days.
20. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 19,
wherein the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) includes polylactic acid
and glycolic acid at a ratio of about 75:25.
21. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 19,
wherein the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) includes polylactic acid
and glycolic acid at a ratio of about 65:35.
22. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 19,
wherein the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) includes polylactic acid
and glycolic acid at a ratio of about 50:50.
23. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 19,
wherein the plurality of active pharmaceutical ingredients is
released in a substantially linear manner.
24. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 19,
wherein the at least one microsphere is from about 0.001
micrometers to about 1,000 micrometers.
25. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 19,
wherein the at least one microsphere is from about 0.01 micrometers
to about 500 micrometers.
26. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 19,
wherein at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient of the
plurality of active pharmaceutical ingredients is a local
anesthetic.
27. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 26,
wherein the local anesthetic is selected from the group consisting
of lidocaine, ropivacaine, procaine, cocaine, benzocaine,
bupivacaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, articaine, tetracaine,
dibucaine, chloroprocaine, etidocaine, oxybuprocaine, cocaethylene,
dimethocaine, butacaine, proparacaine hydrochloride, proparacaine,
piperocaine, hexylcaine, fluorescein, and proparacaine.
28. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 19,
wherein at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient of the
plurality of active pharmaceutical ingredients is
dexamethasone.
29. A method for treating chronic pain comprising: implanting at
least one microsphere at a treatment site, the microsphere formed
from including poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), at least one local
anesthetic and at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient other
than the at least one local anesthetic; wherein about 75% of the at
least one local anesthetic is released in a substantially linear
manner by about 72 hours and from about 80% to about 90% of the at
least one local anesthetic is released by about 120 hours; and
relieving chronic pain for at least 28 days.
30. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 29,
wherein the at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient is
dexamethasone.
31. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 29,
wherein the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) includes polylactic acid
and glycolic acid at a ratio of about 75:25.
32. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 29,
wherein the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) includes polylactic acid
and glycolic acid at a ratio of about 65:35.
33. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 29,
wherein the poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) includes polylactic acid
and glycolic acid at a ratio of about 50:50.
34. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 29,
wherein the at least one local anesthetic is released in a
substantially linear manner.
35. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 29,
wherein the at least one microsphere is from about 0.001
micrometers to about 1,000 micrometers.
36. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 29,
wherein the at least one microsphere is from about 0.01 micrometers
to about 500 micrometers.
37. The method for treating chronic pain according to claim 29,
wherein the at least one local anesthetic is selected from the
group consisting of lidocaine, ropivacaine, procaine, cocaine,
benzocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, articaine,
tetracaine, dibucaine, chloroprocaine, etidocaine, oxybuprocaine,
cocaethylene, dimethocaine, butacaine, proparacaine hydrochloride,
proparacaine, piperocaine, hexylcaine, fluorescein, and
proparacaine.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/848,385 filed Sep. 9, 2015, which claims
the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 62/056,129, filed Sep. 26, 2014, the entire disclosure of which
is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to pharmaceuticals,
compositions, drug-device combination products, and methods for
treating medical conditions. In embodiments, compositions of the
present disclosure may be used to treat chronic postoperative pain.
In embodiments, the present disclosure relates to optimized pain
management as a function of dosage and release kinetics of local
anesthetics from implantable biodegradable microspheres.
Background of Related Art
[0003] Postoperative pain lasting for more than several days and
even weeks affects many patients. For example, chronic pain
following thoracotomy occurs at rest, e.g., with shallow breathing,
and also has a pronounced movement-related component during
coughing, stretching or twisting, e.g., mechano-hyperalgesia. While
a variety of local and other anesthetic methods have been shown to
reduce postoperative pain, the mechanisms of effect in chronic
pain, unlike acute pain, are not well-understood since such drugs
are known to act on multiple different targets.
[0004] Local anesthetics have previously been used perioperatively
to reduce acute pain. Although peripheral nerve blocks, epidurals,
and spinal anesthetics usually produce numbness for about 4 to
about 12 hours, they are ineffective for long duration. Several
other treatment strategies have also been employed, including
continuous infusion of local anesthetics, e.g., through a catheter
placed in the wound, and a variety of materials that slowly release
drug(s) into tissue around the wound. Suitable delivery materials
include multi-vesicular lipid suspensions, (e.g., EXPAREL.RTM., a
liposomal sustained-release bupivacaine formulation from Pacira
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, Calif.), bone waxes,
biodegradable polymers, e.g., poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)
("PLGA") and other materials. Microspheres formed from
biodegradable materials containing local anesthetic compositions
are also known and have been used to treat acute postoperative pain
(e.g., PLGA, such as those from Purdue Pharmaceuticals originally
developed out of the Langer-Berde collaboration between MIT and
Boston Children's Hospital). However, there is no information,
data, or opinion in the public domain that would suggest any impact
on chronic pain from these sustained-release formulations of
bupivacaine.
[0005] There has been a lack of published information regarding the
optimization of drug dosing and drug release kinetics of local
anesthetics in treating chronic postoperative pain. Improved drug
delivery compositions, including those suitable for treating
chronic pain, remain desirable.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure a
microsphere is provided. The microsphere includes at least one
biodegradable polymer and at least one local anesthetic, wherein
about 75% of the at least one local anesthetic is released by about
72 hours and from about 80% to about 90% of the at least one local
anesthetic is released by about 120 hours, thereby relieving
chronic pain for at least 28 days.
[0007] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure a
microsphere is provided. The microsphere includes at least one
biodegradable polymer and at least one local anesthetic, wherein
the at least one local anesthetic is released substantially
linearly for approximately first 120 hours, thereby relieving
chronic pain for at least 28 days.
[0008] According to one aspect of the above embodiments, the at
least one local anesthetic is present in amount of about 60% by
weight of the microsphere. The at least one local anesthetic may
include one or more of the following: lidocaine, procaine, cocaine,
benzocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, articaine,
tetracaine, dibucaine, chloroprocaine, etidocaine, oxybuprocaine,
cocaethylene, dimethocaine, butacaine, proparacaine hydrochloride,
proparacaine, piperocaine, hexylcaine, fluorescein, proparacaine,
and combinations thereof.
[0009] According to another aspect of the above embodiments, the at
least one local anesthetic is bupivacaine.
[0010] According to a further aspect of the above embodiments, the
at least one biodegradable polymer is poly(lactic-co-glycolic
acid). The poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) may include polylactic
acid and glycolic acid at a ratio of about 75:25.
[0011] According to one aspect of the above embodiments, the
microsphere includes a shell having a porosity from about 1% to
about 60% of a surface area of the microsphere.
[0012] According to a further embodiment of the present disclosure,
a method for treating chronic pain is disclosed. The method
includes: implanting at least one microsphere at a treatment site,
the microsphere including: at least one biodegradable polymer and
at least one local anesthetic, wherein about 75% of the at least
one local anesthetic is released by about 72 hours and from about
80% to about 90% of the at least one local anesthetic is released
by about 120 hours, thereby relieving chronic pain for at least 28
days.
[0013] According to one aspect of the above embodiment, the at
least one microsphere is implanted preoperatively or
postoperatively.
[0014] According to another aspect of the above embodiment, the
method further includes forming a suspension including the at least
one microsphere.
[0015] According to a further aspect of the above embodiment, the
method further includes injecting the suspension into the treatment
site.
[0016] According to one aspect of the above embodiment, the method
further includes depositing the suspension on at least a portion of
a medical device to form a film thereon, the film including the at
least one microsphere particle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be
described herein below with reference to the figures wherein:
[0018] FIGS. 1A-B are scanning electron microscope images of
poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres encapsulating
bupivacaine in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 2A is a scanning electron microscope image of a
cross-sectioned microsphere of FIG. 1A in accordance with the
present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2B is a Raman spectroscopy image of a cross-sectioned
microsphere of FIG. 1A in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a plot of bupivacaine in vitro release profile of
the microspheres of FIGS. 1A-B in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a plot of a first derivative of the release
profile plot of FIG. 3 in accordance with the present
disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a plot of mechanical nocifensive threshold
responses of three groups of laboratory rats treated in accordance
with the present disclosure;
[0024] FIGS. 6A-H are a plurality of plots of threshold responses
of individual tested rats after injection of bupivacaine
microspheres in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0025] FIGS. 7A-H are a plurality of plots of threshold responses
of individual tested rats after injection of placebo microspheres
in accordance with the present disclosure;
[0026] FIGS. 8A-C are a plurality of bar graphs of qualitative
hyperalgesic profiles of three groups of laboratory rats tested in
accordance with the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0027] The present disclosure provides pharmaceuticals,
compositions, drug-device combination products, and methods for
preventing/treating pain. The compositions include microspheres
formed from a biodegradable polymer encapsulating a bioactive
agent, e.g., a local anesthetic. Although various embodiments of
the present disclosure are specific to microspheres, the disclosure
is also applicable to any macro, micro, or nano capsules, spheres,
or any other particles having any regular or irregular shape and
size from about 0.001 micrometers to about 1,000 micrometers, in
embodiments from about 0.01 micrometers to about 500
micrometers.
[0028] Microspheres may be formed using any suitable
liquid-in-liquid (e.g., oil-in-oil, water-in-oil, oil-in-water,
etc.) extraction method. In embodiments, microspheres may be formed
by using an emulsion method followed by a solvent extraction step
in extraction media.
[0029] As used herein, the term "emulsion" refers to a mixture of
two or more liquids that are immiscible, in which one liquid forms
a continuous phase and the other liquid forms a discontinuous
phase.
[0030] The terms "discontinuous phase" and "disperse phase" are
used interchangeably and refer to a compound being dispersed
through the continuous phase and may include the local anesthetic,
as well as any encapsulating biodegradable polymer and/or
corresponding solvent or solvating agent.
[0031] As used herein the term "continuous phase" refers to a
liquid, such as oils, that are used to extract any solvent or
solvating agent from the discontinuous phase. These liquids are
usually immiscible with the solvent employed in the discontinuous
phase.
[0032] As used herein the terms "thinning agent phase" and "third
phase" are used interchangeably and refer to a liquid that reduces
the viscosity of the continuous phase, is miscible with the
continuous phase and/or removes residual continuous phase from the
surface of the microsphere(s). In embodiments, the thinning agent
may be immiscible with the discontinuous phase.
[0033] Microspheres according to the present disclosure may be
formed using an oil-in-water emulsification process described
above. The solution may include any suitable biodegradable polymer,
solvent, local anesthetic, optional emulsifier, and/or surfactant.
In embodiments, additional bioactive agents may be included, which
may be the same or different from the local anesthetic included in
the microspheres.
[0034] Suitable biodegradable polymers used to form microspheres
according to the present disclosure include, but are not limited
to, aliphatic polyesters, polyamides, polyamines, polyalkylene
oxalates, poly(anhydrides), polyamidoesters, copoly(ether-esters),
poly(carbonates) including tyrosine derived carbonates,
poly(hydroxyalkanoates) such as poly(hydroxybutyric acid),
poly(hydroxyvaleric acid), and poly(hydroxybutyrate), polyimide
carbonates, poly(imino carbonates) such as such as poly (bisphenol
A-iminocarbonate), polyorthoesters, polyoxaesters including those
containing amine groups, polyphosphazenes, poly (propylene
fumarates), polyurethanes, polymer drugs such as polydiflunisol,
polyaspirin, and protein therapeutics, biologically modified (e.g.,
protein, peptide) bioabsorbable polymers, and copolymers, block
copolymers, homopolymers, blends, and combinations thereof.
[0035] In embodiments, suitable polymers used to form microspheres
include aliphatic polyesters such as, but not limited to,
polylactide, polylactide-co-glycolide,
polylactide-polycaprolactone, homopolymers and copolymers of
lactide (including lactic acid, D-, L- and meso lactide), glycolide
(including glycolic acid), epsilon-caprolactone, p-dioxanone
(1,4-dioxan-2-one), trimethylene carbonate (1,3-dioxan-2-one),
alkyl derivatives of trimethylene carbonate, .DELTA.-valerolactone,
.beta.-butyrolactone, .gamma.-butyrolactone, .epsilon.-decalactone,
hydroxybutyrate, hydroxyvalerate, 1,4-dioxepan-2-one (including its
dimer 1,5,8,12-tetraoxacyclotetradecane-7,14-dione),
1,5-dioxepan-2-one, 6,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxan-2-one,
2,5-diketomorpholine, pivalolactone,
.alpha.,.alpha.-diethylpropiolactone, ethylene carbonate, ethylene
oxalate, 3-methyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione,
3,3-diethyl-1,4-dioxan-2,5-dione, 6,8-dioxabicycloctane-7-one, and
copolymers thereof as well as combinations thereof.
[0036] Suitable biodegradable polymers for forming microspheres
according to the present disclosure may include poly
(lactide-co-glycolide acid) ("PLGA") having polylactic acid ("PLA")
and glycolic acid ("GA") at a ratio of about 50:50 to about 100:00,
in embodiments, the ratio of PLA to GA may be about 75:25.
[0037] Suitable solvents for forming the biodegradable polymer
solution include, but are not limited to, ethyl acetate, methylene
chloride, perchloroethane, trichloroethylene, hexafluoroisopropanol
(HFIP), chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl formamide, as well as
those pharmaceutical solvents listed in the ICH Q3C (International
Conference on Harmonization--residual solvents used in
pharmaceutical processing) and combinations thereof.
[0038] The optional emulsifier may be present in an amount from
about 0.01% by weight and/or volume to about 25% by weight and/or
volume of the solvent, in embodiments from about 0.1% by weight
and/or volume to about 10% by weight and/or volume of the solvent,
in further embodiments from about 0.5% by weight and/or volume to
about 5% by weight and/or volume of the solvent. For oil-in-oil
processes, the use of an emulsifier is optional. Suitable
emulsifiers include, but are not limited to, water-soluble
polymers, such as polyvinyl alcohol ("PVA"), polyvinyl pyrrolidone
(PVP), polyethylene glycol (PEG), polypropylene glycol (PPG),
PLURONICS.TM., TWEENS.TM., polysaccharides, phospholipids, and
combinations thereof.
[0039] Suitable local anesthetics which may be included in
accordance with the present disclosure include, but are not limited
to, lidocaine, ropivacaine, procaine, cocaine, benzocaine,
bupivacaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, articaine, tetracaine,
dibucaine, chloroprocaine, etidocaine, oxybuprocaine, cocaethylene,
dimethocaine, butacaine, proparacaine hydrochloride, proparacaine,
piperocaine, hexylcaine, fluorescein, proparacaine, and
combinations thereof.
[0040] Biodegradable microspheres according to the present
disclosure may have a theoretical local anesthetic loading from
about 30% to about 85% by weight of the microspheres, in
embodiments from about 45% to about 75%, in further embodiments
from about 50% to about 70%, in additional embodiments from about
55% to about 65% by weight of the microspheres. Biodegradable
microspheres may have an actual local anesthetic loading from about
25% to about 90%, in embodiments from about 40% to about 80%, in
further embodiments from about 45% to about 75%, in additional
embodiments from about 50% to about 70%. In further embodiments,
microspheres according to the present disclosure may have an actual
local anesthetic loading at about 60%.
[0041] In forming microspheres according to the present disclosure,
one or more local anesthetics may be added to a solution of the
biodegradable polymer, and are mixed sufficiently to ensure a
uniform suspension or homogeneous solution (e.g., with an
appropriate solvent such as methylene chloride, to be subsequently
used in an oil-in-water emulsion/solvent evaporation process).
Biodegradable polymer may be present in the solution in an amount
from about 0.1% by weight to 50% by weight of the solution, in
embodiments, from about 1.0% by weight to about 25% by weight of
the solution, in embodiments from about 5% by weight to 15% by
weight of the solution. The local anesthetic and biodegradable
polymer solution forms the discontinuous phase, which is added
drop-wise to a vessel including a liquid forming a continuous
phase. The continuous phase liquid may be any suitable aqueous or
organic, polar or non-polar compound that is immiscible with the
polar solvents used in forming the biodegradable polymer solution.
Conversely, if a non-polar solvent is used to dissolve the
biodegradable polymer, the continuous phase liquid may be any polar
compound that is immiscible with the non-polar solvent. The
discontinuous phase liquid may be present in an amount from about
1% by volume to about 50% by volume of the continuous phase liquid,
in embodiments from about 5% to about 20%.
[0042] The vessel possessing the continuous phase may be fitted
with a baffle. The vessel may include a mixer with an impeller
configured to rotate at a rate of from about 25 rpm to about 60,000
rpm, in embodiments, from about 100 rpm to about 15,000 rpm, in
further embodiments from about 250 rpm to about 5,000 rpm. The
stirring may continue from about 5 seconds to about 10 hours, in
embodiments, from about 15 seconds to about 5 hours. The rate of
rotation may be adjusted to obtain desired particle size. Size of
the microspheres may be tailored by modulating the duration and the
speed of homogenization (e.g., stirring of the discontinuous and
continuous phases), temperature and/or pressure, altering the ratio
of continuous to discontinuous phases, the shear rate, and the
molecular weight and concentrations of the biodegradable polymer
and/or the local anesthetic.
[0043] Upon completing the transfer of the discontinuous phase
solution into the continuous phase, a third phase liquid may be
added to the emulsion to remove the solvent from the discontinuous
phase liquid. Suitable third phase liquids include any compound
which is miscible with both the continuous and discontinuous phase
liquids. The extraction of the solvent occurs due to the solvent
being immiscible in the continuous phase liquid, but miscible in
the third phase liquid. Suitable third phase liquids include
isopropyl myristate, hexane, n-heptane, triglycerides and
combinations thereof. The third phase liquid may be present in an
amount from about 100% by volume to about 200% by volume of the
continuous phase liquid, in embodiments from about 140% to about
150%.
[0044] Removal of the solvent from the continuous phase facilitates
formation of microspheres including the local anesthetic
encapsulated by the biodegradable polymer. The emulsion may be
stirred from about 0.1 hour to about 24 hours, in embodiments from
about 2 hours to about 5 hours, to aid in the extraction of the
solvent from the microspheres. The microspheres may then be
collected via filtration and washed (e.g., with aqueous or
non-aqueous media) to remove any trace of continuous and
discontinuous phase liquids on the surface of the microspheres. The
microspheres may then be collected and transferred into a glass
scintillation vial under a nitrogen or argon overlay. In
embodiments, microspheres may also be formed using spray dry and
jet mill techniques.
[0045] According to the present disclosure, biodegradable
microspheres encapsulating the local anesthetic may be implanted
locally to treat pain, such as chronic postoperative pain and/or
hyperalgesia. Microspheres may be implanted by injection of a
suspension including the microspheres using a syringe, a catheter,
or any other intravenous medical device. The suspension may be
formed at the time of use, immediately before injection, or at any
other suitable time depending on the solution in which the
microspheres are suspended and other factors. Microspheres may be
implanted preoperatively, perioperatively, and/or postoperatively.
Microspheres may be implanted at the treatment site and/or near
nerves to relieve pain associated with nerve injury occurring
during surgical procedures. In embodiments, microspheres according
to the present disclosure may be used to perioperatively treat
postoperative chronic pain associated with any surgical procedure,
including, but not limited to, herniorraphy, thoracotomy, joint
arthroscopy.
[0046] In other embodiments, the microspheres may be included in
other implantable medical devices. Suitable medical devices may be
any surgical implant, such as meshes, scaffolds, grafts, stents,
sutures, patches, slings, buttresses, scaffolds, pledgets, and, in
general, soft tissue repair devices, surgical prostheses and
artificial organs; or may be topically applied medical products,
such as wound dressings, coverings, tapes, gauzes, and the like,
that can be used in medical/surgical procedures.
[0047] The microspheres may be applied to the medical devices as a
film or coating. In embodiments, microsphere films may be cast
directly from a microsphere suspension directly onto the medical
devices in a single process step, thereby avoiding resuspension of
microspheres to form homogenous suspensions suitable for coating
medical devices. The film containing microsphere particles may be
formed in a homogenous suspension (e.g., emulsion) of at least one
biodegradable polymer and at least one solvent. Suitable polymers
and solvents for forming the homogenous suspension include any
polymers and solvents described above as suitable for forming
microspheres according to the present disclosure.
[0048] Microspheres according to the present disclosure are
particularly effective for treating chronic pain due to the
distribution of bioactive agent and polymer, as well as surface
morphology resulting in surface-erosion based release of the
bioactive agent from the microspheres. Microspheres may have a mean
diameter from about 0.001 micrometers to about 1,000 micrometers,
in embodiments from about 0.1 micrometers to about 500 micrometers,
in further embodiments from about 1 micrometers to about 250
micrometers, in additional embodiments from about 10 micrometers to
about 150 micrometers, in yet further embodiments from about 55
micrometers to about 85 micrometers.
[0049] The relative polymer/local anesthetic distribution in the
microspheres according to the present disclosure and their density
may be wholly or partially uniform, e.g., including micro-domains.
The porosity microspheres may be from about 0.0001% to about 33% of
the volume of the microspheres, in embodiments from 0.001% to about
25% of the volume of the microspheres, in further embodiments from
0.01% to about 20% of the volume of the microspheres, in additional
embodiments from 0.1% to about 15% of the volume of the
microspheres. The microspheres may be fully spherical, partially
spherical, or non-spherical.
[0050] The release-profile of the microspheres includes little or
no initial burst, with relatively constant rate of release for
about the first 48 hours, and a gradually declining rate of release
from about 48 hours to about 120 hours, such that about 75% of the
cumulative release of the local anesthetic occurs approximately
within the first 72 hours and from about 80% to about 90% of the
cumulative release occurs after about 120 hours.
[0051] An initial release burst may be from about 0% to about 25%
in the first 10 seconds to about 10 minutes, in embodiments from
about 1% to about 15% in the first 1 minute to about 8 minutes, in
further embodiments from about 2% to about 10% in the first 2
minutes to about 7 minutes, and in additional embodiments from
about 3% to about 5% in about first 5 minutes.
[0052] Approximately 75% of the cumulative release may occur from
about 12 hours to about 120 hours, in embodiments from about 24
hours to about 96 hours, in further embodiments from about 36 hours
to about 84 hours. Approximately from about 80% to about 90% of the
cumulative release may occur from about 72 hours to about 168
hours, in embodiments from about 96 hours to about 144 hours, in
further embodiments from about 108 hours to about 132 hours.
[0053] Second derivative of the cumulative release rate over the
first 120 hours may be from about 0.1% per hour to about 10% per
hour, in embodiments, from about 0.5% to about 5% per hour, in
further embodiments from about 1% per hour to about 3% per hour.
The microspheres according to the present disclosure also release
the local anesthetic in a linear release rate, with R.sup.2 being
from about 0.94 to about 0.99, in embodiments R.sup.2 may be about
0.985, when percent of the local anesthetic is plotted versus a
square root of time as shown in FIG. 3 and described in further
detail below.
[0054] It is believed that the release kinetics of the local
anesthetics are important parameters for treating chronic
postoperative hyperalgesia. The reason for this is that too fast a
rate of release expends all of the local anesthetic in a short
time, which is then locally metabolized or absorbed by the local
vasculature and distributed to the general circulation, from which
it is metabolized primarily hepatically, and then excreted. Rapid
delivery also quickly exhausts the local anesthetic pool, leaving
little or none to affect later anesthesia and also resulting in
potentially toxic systemic concentrations.
[0055] In contrast, too slow a release rate prevents entry of the
local anesthetic into the targeted tissue at a concentration
sufficient for neural blockade; the local anesthetic may be removed
from the deposited microspheres without ever achieving a functional
blockade. Therefore, an optimal rate of release and duration of
release is recommended, tailored to the specific requirements,
which depend on the specific local anesthetic and its formulation
pH, local anatomy of the target tissue, surface to volume
relationships of the formulation, vascular richness, and other
factors.
[0056] The microspheres also affect post-operative chronic pain for
a period from about 1 day to about 35 days, in embodiments until
about 28 days. It is believed that the effectiveness of the
microspheres according to the present disclosure for treating
chronic pain is due to the inhibition by the local of ionic sodium
channels in local neurons. This conclusion is reached based on
pharmacokinetic and systemic concentration as measured in the
serum, as described in further detail in the Examples Section
below.
[0057] Although it is generally well-accepted that impacting
post-operative acute pain can favorably impact post-operative
chronic pain, the extent and duration of this impact and the
corresponding attributes of the sustained release anesthetic
formulation are non-obvious. Several previous sustained-release
formulations of bupivacaine, although impactful on acute pain have
not been reported to impact chronic pain.
[0058] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure are
specific to microspheres including a local anesthetic, the
disclosure is also applicable to encapsulation of additional
bioactive agents. In embodiments, as noted above, one or more
bioactive agents may be added to the solvent such that the
bioactive agents are incorporated into the biodegradable polymer
solution, which may then be used to form various microspheres. It
is also intended that combinations of bioactive agents may be
used.
[0059] The following Examples are being submitted to illustrate
embodiments of the present disclosure. These Examples are intended
to be illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of
the present disclosure. Also, parts and percentages are by weight
unless otherwise indicated. As used herein, "room temperature" or
"ambient temperature" refers to a temperature from about 20.degree.
C. to about 25.degree. C. Unless otherwise specified, the Examples
were conducted at ambient temperature, pressure of about 1
atmosphere.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0060] This Example describes formation of 60% by weight
bupivacaine loaded poly (lactide-co-glycolide acid) (PLGA)
microspheres.
[0061] About 0.16 grams of PLGA polymer dissolved per milliliter of
Methylene Chloride (PLGA LACTEL.RTM. polymer having polylactic acid
("PLA") and glycolic acid ("GA") at a ratio of about 75:25)
obtained from Durect Corp. (Pelham, Ala.) along with about 0.24
grams of bupivacaine (BASF, Chicago, Ill.) dissolved per milliliter
of methylene chloride (Spectrum Chemicals, New Brunswick, N.J.) to
form a solution. The solution was then subjected to a modified
oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion/solvent evaporation technique with poly
vinyl alcohol (PVA) being used as the emulsifier to form
microspheres.
[0062] Microsphere size fractionation was achieved using
differential sieving. Bupivacaine microspheres were wet-sieved into
their respective size fractions using stainless-steel US Standard
(ASTM E-11) testing sieves, 8 inches in diameter (W. S. Tyler,
Mentor, Ohio). Three sieves were stacked in descending order, of
about 150, 105, and 45 micrometers. Following solvent evaporation,
the continuous phase containing the bupivacaine microspheres was
poured through the top sieve and carefully washed with pressurized
deionized water at about 90 pounds per inch.sup.2 with a handheld
sprayer to hydrodynamically drive smaller-diameter microspheres to
the next sieve. The contents of each sieve were then collected
under vacuum using Whatman No. 4 filter paper (Whatman Paper, Ltd,
of GE Healthcare, Little Chalfont, UK) fitted in a Buchner funnel.
The microspheres were allowed to air dry before storage under an
argon overlay at about 4.degree. C. After wet-sieving, microspheres
of the size fraction from about 45 micrometers to about 105
micrometers were obtained having a mean particle size from about 5
micrometers to about 75 micrometers.
[0063] Following size fractionation, the microsphere batches were
air dried overnight and stored under an argon overlay at about
4.degree. C. Sterilization was carried out using JS8900 Batch Gamma
Irradiator (Steris Isomedix Corp., Morton Grove, Ill.) to irradiate
the sample using .gamma.-irradiation at from about 11 kilograys
("kGy") to about 13 kGy.
[0064] About fifty milligrams of bupivacaine microspheres were
dissolved in approximately 50 milliliters of acetonitrile, and then
further diluted in about 10% by weight/volume acetonitrile in
high-performance liquid chromatography ("HPLC") grade water. The
resulting sample was then analyzed by an HPLC assay to yield the
bupivacaine concentration. The percent drug loading was determined
by calculating the total amount of bupivacaine in the starting
sample, which was about 50 milligrams. The target percent drug
loading was about 60% by weight of the microspheres, and the
typical loading achieved was from about 55% by weight of the
microspheres to about 60% by weight of the microspheres.
Microspheres were uniformly spherical with a mean diameter of about
65 micrometers to about 75 micrometers, with standard deviation of
about 10 micrometers to about 15 micrometers.
[0065] Collected bupivacaine microspheres were imaged using an FEI
Quanta 600FEG environmental scanning electron microscope ("SEM")
(FEI, Hillsboro, Oreg.). The bupivacaine microsphere specimens were
mounted on carbon adhesive tape. To expose interior sections, some
bupivacaine microspheres were cross-sectioned with a razor blade or
mounted in epoxy and cross sectioned with a tungsten carbide
microtome blade. The whole and cut specimens were imaged using
low-vacuum and low-kilovolt conditions.
[0066] FIGS. 1A and 1B show SEM images of whole microspheres at
about 800.times. and about 1600.times., respectively. The SEM
images show microspheres having uniform spherical geometry.
[0067] FIG. 2A shows an SEM of a cross-sectioned microsphere. The
image showed the uniformly structured matrix within the
microsphere. FIG. 2B shows a Raman microscopy chemical image of a
cross-sectioned microsphere, demonstrating a uniform distribution
of both bupivacaine and PLGA throughout the matrix. The PLGA and
bupivacaine were identified by the colors cyan and magenta,
respectively, which were interspersed throughout the cross-section.
Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy of FIGS. 2A and
2B, respectively, revealed a relatively uniform distribution of
polymer and drug/active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) throughout
the spheres, with no indication of bulk compartmentalization of
either polymer or drug/API.
[0068] Gas physisorption isotherms (not shown) of the microspheres
were also obtained, with the microspheres having a
Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area of about 0.0834.+-.0.0019
meters per gram. For comparison, the theoretical surface area for
microspheres having a diameter of about 70 micrometers with an
assumed smooth surface would be about 0.0750 meters' per gram,
based on the measured true density of 1.138.+-.0.0009 grams per
milliliter, a value not significantly below the measured surface
area, therefore suggesting low porosity for the microspheres.
[0069] Release kinetics were measured in vitro in phosphate
buffered saline ("PBS") at about 37.degree. C. and results are
plotted in the graph included as FIG. 3. The early rate of release
in vitro was about 0.6 to about 0.75 milligrams per hour, from a
suspension of about 100 milligrams of the bupivacaine microspheres
per milliliter. The plot of FIG. 3 showed that release occurred at
a near-constant rate for approximately the first 12 hours; about
50% of the total releasable bupivacaine was delivered by
approximately 30 hours, and about 75% of the total releasable
bupivacaine was delivered by about 72 hours. The release kinetics
fit within the Higuchi model of diffusion-based, controlled-release
systems. The linear plot of cumulative percent release versus the
square root of time yielded an R.sup.2 value of about 0.985.
[0070] FIG. 4 is a plot of a first derivative of the plot of the
release profile of FIG. 3. The release rate was expressed in two
different units on the y-axes, namely, percentage release per hour
and milligrams per hour. The milligrams per hour values were
calculated based on the actual total dose delivered per injection
for the microspheres in the preclinical study, which was an average
of about 34.0.+-.1.0 milligrams per injection. The early rate of
release varied from about 0.6 to 0.75 milligrams per hour for
approximately the first 7 to 13 hours.
Example 2
[0071] This Example describes formation of placebo
poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) microspheres.
[0072] The same process was followed as set forth in Example 1
above, except the placebo microspheres were prepared without
bupivacaine.
Example 3
[0073] This Example describes implantation of microspheres of
Example 1 and placebo microspheres of Example 2, the latter used as
a negative control, into rats to determine effect of the presence
of microspheres of Example 1.
[0074] A model for chronic post-operative hyperalgesia, induced by
experimental thoracotomy in the rat, was used to examine the
ability and duration of infiltrated microspheres of Example 1 to
reduce chronic post-operative pain for approximately 4 weeks (about
28 days) after surgery. Microspheres of Example 1 were placed
pre-operatively in the subcutaneous compartment surrounding an
incision-retraction locus for experimental thoracotomy and
reduction in prolonged hyperalgesia following thoracotomy was
observed.
[0075] All procedures were in keeping with international standards
for the care and treatment of laboratory animals. Male
Sprague-Dawley ("S-D") rats were purchased from Charles River
Laboratory (Wilmington, Mass.) and kept in the animal housing
facilities with controlled relative humidity from about 20% to
about 30%, at ambient temperature, and under approximately a 12-12
hour light-dark cycle, with free access to food and water. They
were handled for about 5 to about 7 days before the procedure, to
familiarize them with the experimental environment, so as to
minimize stress-induced analgesia and to establish baseline
behavioral parameters for each individual animal. At the time of
surgery, animals weighed from about 280 grams to about 310
grams.
[0076] Three groups of eight rats each were studied under three
respective conditions. Each group was the sum of two cohorts of
four rats each, with each cohort being received from the supplier
on the same day and being familiarized by handling and having
surgery at the same time. Data from all eight rats in a group were
analyzed together, without regard for cohort identification.
[0077] All rats received a thoracotomy as described below; a first
group was injected with about 60 milligrams of microspheres of
Example 1 at the incision site before the surgery, a second group
with about 40 milligrams of placebo microspheres of Example 2 at
the same location and time, and a third group with about 60
milligrams of microspheres of Example 1 at a distant, caudal
location about 10 centimeters caudal from the incision site, where
the anesthetized skin did not extend to the surgical field, but
from which systemic uptake would be very similar. Injection of the
third group was used to control for possible effects of systemic
bupivacaine, released from microspheres of Example 1 and resorbed
into the circulation.
[0078] Subcutaneous injections of the microspheres of Examples 1
and 2 were made through a 21 gauge, thin-walled, beveled needle
(Becton-Dickinson) while the rats were under brief general
anesthesia from muzzle-inspired sevoflurane. A volume of about 0.6
milliliters containing about 60 milligrams of bupivacaine base was
also injected about 2 hours before the surgery, under the location
of the intended incision and retraction in order to anesthetize a
roughly circular area with a diameter of approximately 2
centimeters, the length of the incision for the thoracotomy.
[0079] Rats were briefly anesthetized with about 4% to about 5%
sevoflurane (SEVORANE.RTM., Abbott Laboratory, North Chicago, Ill.,
USA) before receiving intraperitoneal pentobarbital sodium
(NEMBUTAL.RTM., Akorn, Inc., Lake Forest, Ill.) at a dosage of
about 60 milligrams per kilogram. Animals were then tracheally
intubated. The anesthetized rats were placed in the supine position
with a small pillow under the neck. An otoscope (Welch Allyn, Inc.,
Skaneateles Falls, N.Y.) with a number 3 speculum was introduced
into the animal's oropharynx, and the tongue was gently retracted
and fixed above the speculum by left index finger compression. A
guide wire (spring-wire guide: 0.46 millimeters diameter, 25
centimeters length; Arrow International, Inc., Reading, Pa.) was
introduced through the epiglottis, then vocal cords, into the
trachea. The otoscope was removed over the wire, and a 16-gauge
polyethylene catheter (ANGIOCATH.RTM. 1.7.times.51 millimeters
INSYTE.TM. AUTOGUARD.TM. winged; BD Infusion Therapy Systems Inc.,
Sandy, Utah) was glided over the wire to its full length. The wire
was removed, the catheter was connected to a Y-connector attached
to tubing from a small animal pressure controlled ventilator
(TOPO.RTM. 220; Kent Scientific Corporation, Torrington, Conn.),
which was set at a respiratory rate of about 65 to about 80 breaths
per minute. An isoflurane vaporizer (SURGIVET.RTM.) was connected
to the intake of the ventilator to deliver a concentration of about
1.0% to about 1.5% of isoflurane in oxygen as necessary. A carbon
dioxide analyzer (CAPSTAR-100.RTM.; IITC Inc., Woodland Hills,
Calif.) was connected to the expiratory end to monitor end tidal
carbon dioxide, which was maintained at about 25 millimeters
mercury ("mm Hg") to about 40 mm Hg for the duration of the
surgical procedure.
[0080] The anesthetized rats were placed in the left decubitus
position with a pillow under the contralateral armpit to elevate
the surgical field. The skin below the ear line and above the
superior iliac crest was shaved on both sides. An approximately 3
centimeter incision was made in the skin of the right lateral chest
wall along the fourth intercostal line, beginning from about 1
centimeter lateral to the midline and 1 centimeter below the
inferior angle of the right scapula. The superficial and deep
lateral thoracic muscles covering the ribs were incised and
retracted to expose the intercostal muscles. An approximately 1
centimeter incision was made through the intercostal muscle and
pleura along the cranial border of the fifth rib. The blunt tines
of a small retractor (model 17003-03, Goldstein 3.times.3 sharp
teeth with depth about 4.5 millimeters, teeth width about 6.5
millimeters; FST, Inc., Foster City, Calif.) were placed under the
fourth and fifth ribs. The retractor was opened to separate the
ribs by about 1 centimeter, and was left in place for about 60
minutes. During this time, the open wound was covered with
wet-dressing gauze kept moist with sterile PBS. After about one
hour, the retractor was closed and removed and the fourth and fifth
ribs were approximated and ligated tightly with 4-0 VICRYL.RTM.
sutures (Ethicon, Sommerville N.J.). Air was aspirated from the
pleural cavity with a 5 milliliter syringe attached to the
polyethylene tubing to restore normal intrapleural pressure. The
superficial muscle covering the ribs was then apposed with 4-0
VICRYL.RTM. and the skin was closed with 3-0 PROLENE.RTM. sutures
(Ethicon, Sommerville N.J.). The animals were allowed to recover,
and the endotracheal catheter was removed once spontaneous
breathing was re-established.
[0081] Pain thresholds were assayed daily or every other day during
the entire testing period of about 31 days, including about 3
pre-operative days and about 28 post-operative days. Tests were
performed at the same time of day for about 3 hours for each
separate cohort. The threshold force necessary to elicit any
response from a rat was determined by pressing against the shaved
thoraco-lumbar dorsal area of the rat with a series of single von
Frey hair monofilaments ("VFH"). Each rat was tested alone by
probing with a VFH while loosely constrained in a "holding chamber"
that allowed the rats to re-orient their bodies, and thus escape
the potentially painful stimulus, without running away. Individual
VFH filaments were applied starting from the lightest force of
about 1 gram mass ("gm") to about 2 gm, and progressing in a series
of increasing thickness/force until a response was elicited, but
limited to about 15 gm. Rats that did not respond even to this
highest force were assigned a threshold of 15 gm, since stronger
forces caused local swelling/inflammation of the skin after
repeated stimulation.
[0082] Once any response was elicited, the next stimulation was by
the preceding ineffective force VFH, then again by the effective
force. Threshold was defined as the weakest force that could
reliably elicit a response, e.g. 3 responses from 3 pokes.
[0083] As noted above, rats were acclimated for about 5 days to
about 7 days before the surgery, to abolish "stress-induced
analgesia" and allow for the establishment of a stable
pre-operative baseline threshold. This threshold was calculated
from the average of thresholds measured on each of the 3 days
preceding the operation.
[0084] Since the nature of the response at threshold changes after
surgery, responses were characterized by the Qualitative
Hyperalgesic Profile ("QHP"). Behavior was classified according to
the following scoring system of grades as illustrated in Table 1
below:
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Grade Behavioral response to Tactile
Stimulation 0 No response I Brief contractions of the local
subcutaneous muscles. II Grade I and brisk lateral "escape"
movement and/or a 180.degree. rotation of the trunk. III Grade II
and whole body shuddering, and scratching and squealing.
[0085] These patterns of behavior were characteristic of different
stages of pre- and post-operative "pain." Grades 0 and I were the
only responses that occurred in the intact, pre-operative skin, and
were elicited by VFH forces of about 15 gm. After surgery, Grades
II and III were observed, in response to threshold stimulation,
e.g., about 3 gm.
[0086] Plots of mechanical threshold responses of the three groups
of rats injected pre-operatively with microspheres of Example 1 and
placebo microspheres of Example 2 were recorded and plotted for 28
days as shown in FIG. 5. With reference to FIG. 5, the solid square
data points represent the threshold response of the first group of
rats, which were injected with microspheres of Example 1 at the
incision site. The solid circular data points represent the
threshold response of the second group of rats, which were injected
with placebo microspheres of Example 2 at the incision site. The
blank square data points represent the threshold response of the
third group of rats, which were injected with microspheres of
Example 1, but about 10 centimeters caudal from the incision
site.
[0087] It was observed that in the rats of all three groups, the
threshold for the first three post-operative days was at about 15
gm. However, the threshold for the second and third groups then
dropped to about 3 gm and about 5 gm, respectively, for the
remaining approximately 25 days. In contrast, in the first group
the initial drop in threshold was arrested after about 4 days, at
about 10 gm, and remained there for the next 24 days of testing.
The possibility that this anti-hyperalgesic effect could result
from systemically distributed bupivacaine, released from the
microspheres and resorbed by the local, cutaneous and subcutaneous
circulation, was tested by the third group, which was injected at
the same pre-operative time but at a more caudal location. The
effects of this treatment were not significantly different from
those of the group having the placebo microspheres of Example 2 at
the wound site, and ruled out a contribution of systemic
bupivacaine to post-operative anti-hyperalgesia.
[0088] FIGS. 6A-H show a plurality of plots of average threshold
responses of individual rats numbered 1 through 8 of the first
group treated with Example 1 microspheres. Each of the eight rats
of the first group that received microspheres of Example 1 showed
one of three patterns of time-course of threshold change. Course 1:
threshold fell to about 8 gm by about the fifth or sixth day
post-operatively and remained there, for example, rats nos. 1-3.
Course 2: threshold remained at the pre-operative baseline of 15
gm, with no sensitivity, as observed in rats nos. 5-7. Course 3:
threshold fell to a low value of about 2 gm, and remained there as
observed in rat no. 8. Rat no. 8 had an unusually low baseline
threshold of about 10 gm and showed the persistent fall to about 2
gm after surgery. Rat no. 4 showed a transient fall of threshold to
about 2 gm at about day 10, but then reversed to and remained at
about 8 gm by about day 16.
[0089] FIGS. 7A-H shows a plurality of plots of individual rats
numbered 1 through 8 of the third group also treated with Example 1
microspheres, but injected away from the surgical site. Each of the
eight rats of the first group that received placebo microspheres of
Example 2 showed one of three patterns of time-courses of threshold
change. Course 1: rats nos. 1 and 6 showed a decrease to
intermediate thresholds of about 8 gm. Course 2: all of the rats
showed a drop in threshold after surgery. Course 3: rats nos. 2, 4,
5, and 7 showed a fall to the same low level of about 1 gm. Course
4: rats nos. 3 and 8 had thresholds that fell to only 4 gm and
remained there through approximately day 28.
[0090] The distribution of threshold courses among first and second
groups is shown in Table 2 below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Number of rats in each course Time Course
First Group Second Group 1 3 2 2 3 0 3 1 4 4 0 2
[0091] It was also observed that pre-operative injection of
microspheres of Example 1 lessened pain as indicated by the QHP.
With reference to Table 1 above, the baseline period of all the
rats in any of the three groups showed either Grade I or Grade 0
responses; that is, either the rats had no response or only a
contraction of the local back muscles. After thoracotomy, however,
Grades II and III were observed to appear at threshold and became
the predominant behavioral expression.
[0092] The QHP grades of the individual rats at different
post-operative stages are shown in the plots of FIGS. 8A-C. FIG. 8A
shows a bar graph of QHP responses taken prior to surgery and days
5, 14, and 28 post-operatively, respectively, for the first group.
In the first group, it was observed that three of the eight rats
showed Grade I behavior while the remaining five showed Grade II
and III behaviors. However, the three rats, nos. 5-7, which
retained their QHP Grade of I were the same rats which showed no
drop in threshold after surgery, as shown in FIGS. 6E-G. Thus,
based on the VFH forces required to elicit the higher QHP
responses, the microspheres of Example 1 were successful in
treating chronic post-surgical pain for approximately 28 days.
[0093] FIG. 8B shows a bar graph of QHP responses taken prior to
surgery and days 5, 14, and 28, respectively, for the second group.
In this group, 14 and 28 days after surgery, Grades II and III were
observed in seven of the eight rats in the second group, with only
a single rat showing Grade I behavior. FIG. 8C shows a bar graph of
QHP responses taken prior to surgery and days 5, 14, and 28,
respectively, for the third group. The QHP distribution at day 28
in this group was almost identical to that of the second group.
[0094] The microspheres of Example 1 were also tested for sciatic
nerve block and for subcutaneous infiltration anesthesia in rats.
Sciatic nerves were injected with nominal doses of microspheres of
Example 1, having about 40 milligrams of bupivacaine, by injection
as a single bolus of about 0.4 milliliters. Analysis of the
material retained in the injecting syringe showed that the injected
dose was about 34.+-.1 milligrams of bupivacaine. Nociceptive block
to paw pinch showed complete unresponsiveness for about 23.+-.7
hours; motor block indicated by total flaccid paralysis lasted for
about 12.+-.10 hours. Half-recovery of these respective functions
occurred at about 42.+-.6 hours and 36.+-.3 hours, and normal,
pre-block function was restored by about 63.+-.8 hours for
nociception and about 56.+-.7 hours for motor block. By comparison,
injection of about 0.4 milliliters of about 0.5% by weight aqueous
bupivacaine solution gave complete blocks for only about 0.5 hours
to about 1 hours for nociception and about 1 hour for motor
functions, with complete recovery by about 3 hours for both
functions. Microspheres of Example 2 caused no functional
deficits.
[0095] Microspheres of Example 1 were also tested for
anti-hyperalgesic effects after rodent surgery. Paw incision in a
lateral region innervated exclusively by the sciatic nerve resulted
in about 3 day to about 4 days of tactile allodynia and
hyperalgesia in rats of the third group, as tested by VFH applied
to the plantar paw next to the incision. If microspheres of Example
1 were injected at the sciatic nerve approximately 1.5 hours before
the surgery, the subsequent post-operative hyperalgesia was
suppressed for about 4 days. In contrast, nerve block by 0.5% by
weight aqueous bupivacaine solution suppressed post-operative
hyperalgesia for about 6 hours. Microspheres of Example 2 were
ineffective against post-incisional pain.
[0096] In a second surgical scenario, Microspheres of Example 1
were injected as a subcutaneous infiltration in the thoraco-lumbar
region before an incision and blunt dissection of the back skin.
Microspheres of Example 1, including about 40 milligrams of
bupivacaine, were injected as a single bolus of about 0.4
milliliters. The injection produced anesthesia to VFH pokes at the
injected area for about 6 hours and anesthesia to pin pricks for
about 12 hours. Post-operative allodynia and hyperalgesia in this
model lasted for about 14 days, but were suppressed for
approximately 5 days and 3 days, respectively, by microspheres of
Example 1 injected approximately 2 hours before surgery. About 0.4
milliliters of 0.5% by weight aqueous bupivacaine solution was
ineffective in reducing post-operative hypersensitivity, just as
the microspheres of Example 2 were also ineffective. In addition,
injections of the same dose of microspheres of Example 1 on the
back side contralateral to the incision site had no effect on
post-operative pain, suggesting that systemically distributed local
anesthetic could not alone yield any therapeutic effect.
Comparative Example 1
[0097] This Example describes release kinetics of bupivacaine from
EXPAREL.RTM. particles, a bupivacaine liposome injectable
suspension of particles (Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego,
Calif.). EXPAREL.RTM. includes bupivacaine encapsulated in
DEPOFOAM.RTM. particles (Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego,
Calif.), which is a multi-vesicular suspension of particles
composed of lipids, such as phospholipids (e.g.,
dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), dierucoylphosphatidylcholine
(DEPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG)), cholesterol and
triglycerides (e.g., triolein, tricaprylin).
[0098] The EXPAREL.RTM. suspension included about 97% by weight
aqueous solution of bupivacaine and about 3% lipids and was
expected to be fully biodegradable. The EXPAREL.RTM. suspension was
suspended in 0.9% by weight saline solution for injection.
[0099] The mean diameter of EXPAREL.RTM. particles was about
31.2.+-.17.8 micrometers, as measured by phase contrast microscopy.
Analysis of bupivacaine content of EXPAREL.RTM. particles was about
261.+-.18 milligrams per 20 milliliters suspension, equivalent to
about 1.33% by weight of the suspension. The bupivacaine loading of
DEPOFOAM.RTM. particles was thus about 47.4.+-.3.3% by weight of
the suspension, and the commercially available EXPAREL.RTM.
particles contained about 13.+-.0.9 milligram per milliliter of
bupivacaine.
[0100] Release kinetics of bupivacaine from commercially available
EXPAREL.RTM. particles was measured by dialysis in PBS at about
37.degree. C. and demonstrated a relatively rapid initial release
of about 10% of bupivacaine for approximately the first 50 hours,
followed by a slower phase during which about another 25% of the
bupivacaine was released over 300 hours; another 50% of the
contained bupivacaine was released rapidly over about the next 100
hours, and the remaining drug then slowly released over about the
next 300 hours. In total, about 800 hours was required for all of
the bupivacaine to be released. The highly unconventional kinetics
of release implies either a lack of uniformity in the distribution
of bupivacaine within the DEPOFOAM.RTM. particles, or a lack of
homogeneity in the different sizes and compositions of
DEPOFOAM.RTM. bupivacaine. Such a lack of homogeneity in particle
size is also suggested by the large variance in the mean diameter
as noted above.
[0101] The anti-nociceptive activity of EXPAREL.RTM. particles was
also tested. The latency for leg withdrawal in male S-D rats from a
noxious heat stimulus of about 56.degree. C. applied to the plantar
surface of the paw was used to test the duration of functional
sciatic nerve block achieved using EXPAREL.RTM.. The normal latency
for paw withdrawal was about 2 seconds and "maximal sensory
blockade" was characterized by a latency of about 12 seconds.
Sensory blockade of about 0.6 milliliters of EXPAREL.RTM.
containing about 7.8 milligrams of bupivacaine, injected next to
the sciatic nerve of an adult male S-D rat weighing from about 310
grams to about 420 grams, which was equivalent to about 25
milligrams of bupivacaine per kilogram, was determined by the time
from injection until the latency returned to about 7 seconds, half
way back to the pre-injection latency of about 2 seconds. By this
criterion, the sensing block from EXPAREL.RTM. lasted about 240
minutes, and that from 0.6 milliliter solution of about 0.5% by
weight bupivacaine, which was used as a control, lasted about 120
minutes.
Comparative Example 2
[0102] This Example describes release kinetics of bupivacaine from
bupivacaine polyester microspheres from Purdue Pharma L.P.,
Stamford, Conn.
[0103] Purdue microspheres were made of PLGA polymers,
encapsulating bupivacaine. The microspheres were tested in vivo and
contained PLGA including PLA:GA at a ratio of about 65:35,
encapsulated bupivacaine at about 75.+-.2% by weight of the
microspheres, and dexmethasone at about 0.05% by weight of the
microspheres. Dexmethasone was used to increase duration of local
anesthesia by the microspheres in vivo to more than about 1 day.
However, inclusion of dexmethasone did not affect the bupivacaine
release kinetics in vitro.
[0104] The Purdue microspheres had a mean diameter of about 76
micrometers. Release kinetics of the microspheres appeared to be
dependent on the PLA:GA ratio. Pure PLA microspheres released about
100% of bupivacaine in less than about 1 day. In contrast,
microspheres containing PLGA at a ratio of PLA:GA of about 50:50
released about 100% of bupivacaine with approximately first order
exponential kinetics having a half-life of about 2 days. It was
also observed that there was an initial "burst release" wherein 25%
of bupivacaine was released in the first several hours. This same
burst occurred for the microspheres having PLGA at a ratio of about
75:25, followed by fairly uniform release kinetics approximately
over the next 10 days, but ultimately only about 80% of the
included drug was delivered by this formulation. The microspheres
having PLGA at a ratio of about 65:35 showed no burst release, but
also only released approximately 80% of the loaded bupivacaine.
[0105] The Purdue microspheres have been tested for local
anesthesia using thermal latency. Sciatic nerve blocks were
accomplished with about 150 milligrams per kilogram dosage of
bupivacaine injected next to the sciatic nerve of male S-D rats.
Block durations were from about 3 hours to about 6 hours for
preparations that did not contain dexmethasone, but were extended
to about 70 hours to about 100 hours when dexmethasone was included
at a concentration of about 0.05% by weight of the Purdue
microspheres. Motor block, determined by the rat's ability to bear
weight on its blocked leg, was somewhat longer lasting and was also
greatly extended by inclusion of dexmethasone up to about 160
hours.
[0106] Local inflammation caused by the Purdue microspheres was
observed and was believed to be related to the brief block
duration. This was confirmed by injecting the Purdue microspheres
around the intercostal thoracic nerves of sheep. Duration of block
for a noxious pinch to the skin overlying the rib cage was extended
by the inclusion of dexamethasone at a concentration of about 0.05%
by weight of the Purdue microspheres. Doses of about 40 milligrams
per kilogram or about 8 milligrams per nerve, since 5 nerves were
injected for each block, lasted about 2.+-.ldays and increased by
inclusion of dexamethasone to about 10.+-.3 days. Histology of
muscle taken from the tissues where Purdue microspheres without
dexamethasone were injected showed intense invasion of neutrophils
(PMNs), as early as about 7 hours after injection and evolved into
a granulomatous infiltration with many macrophages present by about
4 days. In contrast, the histopathology of tissues where Purdue
microspheres with dexmethasone were injected was almost normal. The
correlation between increased block duration and decreased local
inflammation provided support for a causative relationship. This
relationship suggested that the environment around the inflamed
region, e.g., the slightly acidic pH, from about 6.9 to about 7.2,
compared to pH of about 7.4 in un-inflamed tissue, decreased the
ratio of neutral, nerve-permeant, bupivacaine species to charged,
nerve-impermeant species (having basic pH of about 8.1), and thus
decreased the neural content and the duration of blockade.
DISCUSSION
[0107] This Discussion compared physical, chemical, and
drug-release properties of the microspheres of Example 1, the
composition of Comparative Example 1, and the microspheres of
Comparative Example 2, as well as their ability to effect numbness
in vivo in pre-clinical, animal studies, and their capacity to
reduce experimental post-operative pain.
[0108] Controlled-release microspheres of Comparative Example 2
achieved the release profile solely due to the incorporation of
dexamethasone in the formulation as the second active
pharmaceutical ingredient. Microspheres of Example 1 demonstrated a
significant reduction of pain in rats lasting several days, after
24 hours, with the use of bupivacaine as the only active
pharmaceutical ingredient in the microsphere formulation.
[0109] The drug-loading levels achieved with microspheres of
Comparative Example 2 and that of the microspheres of Example 1
were both relatively high, about 75% and about 60%, respectively.
In addition, the total drug dosage administered per animal was
similar as well, about 150 milligrams per kilogram with
microspheres of Comparative Example 2 and about 133.3 milligrams
drug per kilogram with the microspheres of Example 1. Yet,
microspheres of Comparative Example 2 had no reported effect on
chronic pain, whereas the microspheres of Example 1 mitigated
post-operative chronic pain for about 28 days. Thus, the difference
in performance is believed to be due on the differences in kinetics
of release, impacting the bioavailability of bupivacaine and the
duration of in vivo efficacy.
[0110] A comparison of the release kinetics of the microspheres of
Comparative Example 2 suggested that about 75% of the release of
bupivacaine in vitro occurred over about 7 days. In contrast, in
microspheres of Example 1, 75% of bupivacaine was released in vitro
in about 3 days. Therefore, the effective rate of release differs
by a factor of more than about 2. However, this average difference
contrasts with approximately the first 6 to 12 hours of bupivacaine
release. With microspheres of Comparative Example 2, a "burst
effect" was observed in vitro, whereas the microspheres of Example
1 had no pronounced burst effect but rather a relatively constant
release rate of approximately 0.6 to 0.75 milligrams per hour as
discussed above with respect to FIG. 4. Consistent with this
observation, it is believed that reducing the burst effect might
prolong in vivo efficacy for bupivacaine, although there seems to
be no suggestion that reducing burst effect could impact chronic
pain.
[0111] For the microspheres of Example 1, the uniform distribution
of both polymer and bupivacaine throughout the microsphere
cross-section, based on the Raman spectroscopy data of FIG. 2B and
the low porosity for these microspheres (gas physisorption data),
is believed to have contributed to achieving a relatively
consistent release rate for bupivacaine. The Raman spectroscopy and
porosity data were also consistent with a surface erosion and
diffusion-based mechanism for bupivacaine release, an inference
supported by the relatively good fit for the formulation with the
Higuchi model, with R.sup.2 being about 0.985, for diffusion-based
controlled release systems.
[0112] The composition of Comparative Example 1 was also injected
into rabbits and dogs and blood levels of bupivacaine were measured
over the following several days. Subcutaneous doses were injected
at the left and right sides around the dorsal midline containing
bupivacaine at concentrations of about 9, 18, and 30 milligrams per
kilogram, delivered as different volumes or dilutions of about 25
milligrams per milliliter. Plasma bupivacaine in the rabbits
reached a peak value of about 213.+-.145, 147.+-.60, and 94.+-.45
nanograms per milliliter from single bolus injections of 9, 18 and
30 milligrams per kilogram, respectively. This reverse relationship
between dose given and plasma level achieved may have resulted from
the use of different volumes and dilutions to deliver the different
doses, affecting surface-to-volume ratio for subcutaneous spread of
the different doses and the local concentrations with differing
effects on local vascular tone and resulting drug removal. Peak
plasma values occurred at about 1 hour to about 4 hours after
injection of doses at about 9 milligrams per kilogram and about 18
milligrams per kilogram, respectively, and at about 26.+-.24 hours
after a dose of about 30 milligrams per kilogram.
[0113] The analogous subcutaneous injections in dogs, with higher
total doses due to their greater weights, resulted in peak plasma
concentrations of bupivacaine of about 488.+-.335, 560.+-.299, and
633.+-.280 nanograms per milliliter, respectively, single
injections of about 9, 18 and 30 milligrams per kilogram. The doses
of about 9 milligrams per kilogram and 18 milligrams per kilogram
led to peak values in plasma occurring at about 0.5 hours and the
dose of about 30 milligrams per kilogram led to a peak at about
48.+-.30 hours.
[0114] Thus, neither the composition of Comparative Example 1 nor
the microspheres of Comparative Example 2 had any impact on
treating chronic pain. Although the composition of Comparative
Example 1 and the microspheres of Comparative Example 2 provide
sustained release of bupivacaine, e they had no effect on relieving
pain after completely releasing bupivacaine, which occurred after
the first few days. Only the microspheres of Example 1 as described
above, were shown to have an impact on chronic pain approximately
throughout 28 days. The data collected in Example 3, illustrates
that the microspheres of Example 1 possess unexpected properties
for treating chronic pain that are absent from the composition of
Comparative Example 1, the microspheres of Comparative Example 2
and other sustained release bupivacaine formulations.
[0115] It will be appreciated that of the above-disclosed and other
features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably
combined into many other different systems or applications. Also
that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,
modifications, variations or improvements therein may be
subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also
intended to be encompassed by the following claims. Unless
specifically recited in a claim, steps or components of claims
should not be implied or imported from the specification or any
other claims as to any particular order, number, position, size,
shape, angle, or material.
* * * * *