Local regional chemotherapy and radiotherapy using in situ hydrogel

Abstract

Methods regarding local regional treatment in situ for an individual, such as of a tumor, are provided herein. A hydrogel composition is generated in situ in the tumor by administering a polymer, such as a polysaccharide or a polyamino acid, with a therapeutic agent, such as a radionuclide or a drug, and administering a cross-linking agent. The hydrogel/therapeutic agent composition is retained in the tumor for safe and efficient tumor therapy. Alternatively, a hydrogel composition is generated in situ in an artery which nourishes a tumor to occlude the artery.

1 .- 125 . (canceled)  
     
     
         126 . A method of dispensing a radionuclide in situ to a localized region in an individual comprising administering to said region a polymer composition that comprises a biocompatible polymer, a cross-linking composition that comprises a cross-linker, and the radionuclide, wherein the polymer and the cross-linking composition are administered to allow formation of a cross-linked polymer in situ at the localized region, which cross-linked polymer comprises the radionuclide.  
     
     
         127 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the polymer composition comprises the radionuclide.  
     
     
         128 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the radionuclide binds the cross-linked polymer.  
     
     
         129 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the polymer composition and the cross-linking composition are separately administered to the localized region.  
     
     
         130 . The method of  claim 129 , wherein the separate administrations of said polymer composition and said cross-linking composition are by syringe.  
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 129 , wherein the polymer composition and cross-linking compositions are administered separately from a syringe having at least two compartments.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 129 , wherein the polymer composition and the cross-linking composition are administered to the localized region from separate containers, wherein a first container contains the polymer composition and a second container comprises the cross-linking composition.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 132 , wherein the first and second containers are syringes.  
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the polymer composition and the cross-linking composition are administered to said region by means of a single container having at least two compartments, wherein one compartment comprises the polymer composition and another compartment comprises the cross-linking composition.  
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the polymer composition and the cross-linking composition are administered to said region by means of a single container having a hollow cylindrical compartment, wherein the polymer composition and cross-linking composition are administered separately through said compartment.  
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the radionuclide is  188 Re,  213 Bi,  166 Ho,  211 At, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the polymer is a polysaccharide, a polyamino acid polymer, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 137 , wherein the polysaccharide is alginate, hydroxycellulose, chondroitin, chitosan, hyaluronate, dextran, or starch.  
     
     
         139 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein said cross-linking agent is a salt of a divalent cation.  
     
     
         140 . The method of  claim 139 , wherein said salt of a divalent cation is tin chloride, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium chlorate, calcium fluoride, calcium bromide, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium chlorate, magnesium fluoride, magnesium bromide, manganese chloride, manganese sulfate, manganese phosphate, manganese carbonate, manganese chlorate, manganese fluoride, manganese bromide, copper chloride, copper sulfate, copper phosphate, copper carbonate, copper chlorate, copper fluoride, copper bromide, chromium chloride, chromium sulfate, chromium phosphate, chromium carbonate, chromium chlorate, chromium fluoride, chromium bromide, strontium chloride, strontium sulfate, strontium phosphate, strontium carbonate, strontium chlorate, strontium fluoride, strontium bromide, zinc chloride, zinc sulfate, zinc phosphate, zinc carbonate, zinc chlorate, zinc fluoride, zinc bromide, radium chloride, radium sulfate, radium phosphate, radium carbonate, radium chlorate, radium fluoride, radium bromide, beryllium chloride, beryllium sulfate, beryllium phosphate, beryllium carbonate, beryllium chlorate, beryllium fluoride, or beryllium bromide.  
     
     
         141 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the polymer composition further comprises a drug, a hormone, a gene therapy composition, a nutriceutical, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         142 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the polymer composition further comprises a detectable identifier, wherein the detectable identifier is an X-ray contrasting agent, a CT contrasting agent, an MRI contrasting agent, a fluorophore, a luminophore, or a combination thereof.  
     
     
         143 . The method of  claim 126 , wherein the localized region comprises a tumor.  
     
     
         144 . A method of treating a tumor in situ in an individual comprising the steps of administering to said tumor a polymer composition that comprises a biocompatible polymer, a cross-linking composition that comprises a cross-linker, and a radionuclide, wherein the polymer and the cross-linking composition are administered to allow formation of a cross-linked polymer in situ at the tumor, which cross-linked polymer comprises the radionuclide.  
     
     
         145 . A method of providing a slow-release hydrogel composition in situ to a tumor in an individual comprising administering to said tumor a polymer composition that comprises a biocompatible polymer, a cross-linking composition that comprises a cross-linker, and a radionuclide, wherein the biocompatible polymer and the cross-linking composition are administered to allow formation of a cross-linked polymer in situ at the tumor, which cross-linked polymer comprises the radionuclide.