Sustained-release microspheres of amifostine for improved radio-protection, patient compliance, and reduced side effects

A biweekly administration of sustained-release microsphere dosage form of amifostine, a radioprotective drug used in radiotherapy, was performed to examine the feasibility to minimize injection frequency and blood concentration-associated side effects. Model animal trials indicated that this subcutaneously injecting microspheres, 50-100 μm in diameter, achieved bi-weekly prolonged radio-protective efficacy and, at the same time, significantly reduced skin irritation than the solution form of amifostine given by the same administration route. In addition, the hypertension associated with blood concentration of amifostine was not observed in the drug-treated rats. The animals given the amifostine microspheres and amifostine showed significantly differences in white blood cell, red blood cell, hematocrit, hemoglobin and spleen tissue histopathology after exposed under a cobalt-60 γ-radiation at a dose rate of 1.0 Gy/min for 6 min. The in vitro release profile of amifostine from the micropsheres showed a minor initial burst (less than 20% of total drug loading in the first day of administration), consisting with the side effects observations. The results suggest that amifostine encapsulated in sustained-release microspheres may be an ideal dosage form for prolonged radio-protective efficacy and improved patient compliance.