In vitro antitumor activity of BCNU-loaded PLGA wafer containing additives

We fabricated the 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU, carmustine) -loaded PLGA wafers containing poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) or sodium chloride (NaCl) in order to control the release profile of drug in specific shape (3 in diameter, 1 mm in thickness) by direct compression method. In vitro release profiles of BCNU could be controlled by additives contained in the wafers. Initial release amount, release rate and duration of BCNU could be controlled with presence of PVP or NaCl. In vitro antitumor activity accessed using 9L gliosarcoma cell line has been evaluated by assaying the viability of cells treated with BCNU released from the wafers containing additives resulting in continuous growth inhibition of 9L gliosarcoma tumor cells. Specially, the continuous growth inhibition of BCNU-loaded PLGA wafers containing additives was more effective than that of non-additive BCNU-loaded PLGA wafers. The cytotoxic effect of the drug from the wafers containing NaCl as compared to wafers containing PVP was more enhanced.