Brachytherapy seed

• US 20110118532A1
• Filed: 05/24/2004
• Published: 05/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microspherix LLC
• Original Assignee: Microspherix LLC
• Inventors: Kaplan, Edward J.
• Application Number:
  US10/852,407
• Publication Number:
  US 20110118532A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/8
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 41/0038 Radiosensitizing, i.e. administration of pharmaceutical agents that enhance the effect of radiotherapy radiotherapy per se A61N5/10
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 47/6957 the form being a device or a kit, e.g. stents or microdevices
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 49/0409 Physical forms of mixtures of two different X-ray contrast-enhancing agents, containing at least one X-ray contrast-enhancing agent which is not a halogenated organic compound
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/1282 Devices used in vivo and carrying the radioactive therapeutic or diagnostic agent, therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic kits, stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0002 Galenical forms characterised by the drug release technique; Application systems commanded by energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 9/0024 Solid, semi-solid or solidifying implants, which are implanted or injected in body tissue compositions for intravenous administration, normal injectable solutions or dispersions for, e.g. subcutaneous administration A61K9/0019; brain implants A61K9/0085; (coated) prostheses, catheters or stents A61L
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1023 Means for creating a row of seeds, e.g. spacers
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 2005/1024 Seeds
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1027 Interstitial radiation therapy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/906 Drug delivery

Abstract

A radiopaque brachytherapy seed for implantation into a subject includes a biocompatible component, a therapeutically active component including a non-radioactive drug, and a radiopaque marker. The biocompatible component is (a) physically associated with a therapeutically active component and (b) in contact with the radiopaque marker. The brachytherapy seed has a size and shape suitable for passing through the bore of a needle having an interior diameter of less than about 2.7 millimeters (10 gauge).

Claims

1-60. -60. (canceled)

61. A non-radioactive completely biodegradable polymeric radiopaque brachytherapy seed, wherein the seed has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of at least 0.5 millimeters and wherein the seed has a size and shape suitable for passing through the bore of a needle having an interior diameter of less than about 2.7 millimeters (10 gauge), comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a therapeutic agent dispersed within the polymer and released over a period of weeks to months to cause a medically beneficial effect.

62. The brachytherapy seed of claim 61, wherein said size and shape is suitable for passing through the bore of a needle having an interior diameter of less than about 1.4 millimeters (15 gauge).

63. The brachytherapy seed of claim 62, wherein the size and shape is suitable for passing through the bore of a needle having an interior diameter of less than about 0.84 millimeters (18 gauge).

64. The brachytherapy seed of claim 62, wherein said size and shape is suitable for passing through the bore of a needle having an interior diameter of less than about 0.56 millimeters (24 gauge).

65. The brachytherapy seed of claim 61, wherein the seed is shaped into a cylinder having a diameter of between about 0.5 to 3 millimeters and a length 4 to 10 millimeters.

66. The brachytherapy seed of claim 65, wherein the diameter is about 0.8 millimeters and the length is about 4.5 millimeters.

68. The brachytherapy seed of claim 61, further comprising one or more pores.

69. The brachytherapy seed of claim 61, wherein the therapeutically active agent is selected from the group consisting of small molecule drugs, growth factors, gene vectors, viral vectors, anti-angiogenesis agents, cytotoxic agents, cytostatic agents, cytocidal agents, transforming agents, apoptosis-inducing agents, radiosensitizing agents, radioprotectants, hormones, enzymes, antibiotics, antiviral agents, mitogens, cytokines, anti-inflammatory agents, immunotoxins, antibodies, and antigens.

70. The brachytherapy seed of claim 69, wherein the small molecule drug is selected from the group consisting of paclitaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil.

71. The brachytherapy seed of claim 69, wherein the radiosensitizing agent is selected from the group consisting of tirapazamine, BUdR, IUdR, and etanidazole.

72. The brachytherapy seed of claim 61, wherein the brachytherapy seed is formed of a biodegradable radiopaque polymer.

73. The brachytherapy seed of claim 61 wherein the brachytherapy seed comprises a biodegradable radiopaque marker.

67. (canceled)