Oral administration of 5-FU in a gelling nanosuspension for targeted delivery to treat colorectal cancers

摘要

A sustained-release formulation of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) providing a polymeric coating in a nanosuspension comprising sodium alginate and carrageenan for oral administration. The nanosuspension forms an insoluble sedimenting gel in the low pH environment of the stomach to speed gastric emptying. The sedimented insoluble gel becomes soluble in the pH environment of the small intestine and is transported to the colon where 5-FU is released at a predictable rate. The targeted delivery to the colon inhibits loss of 5-FU in the gastrointestinal tract and increases 5-FU exposure to cancerous cells in the colon.