Compositions and methods for coating medical implants

Abstract

Medical implants are provided which release an anthracycline, fluoropyrimidine, folic acid antagonist, podophylotoxin, camptothecin, hydroxyurea, and/or platinum complex, thereby inhibiting or reducing the incidence of infection associated with the implant.

1 . A medical implant, comprising a suture or a thread and an anthracycline, fluoropyrimidine, folic acid antagonist, podophylotoxin, camptothecin, hydroxyurea, or platinum complex.  
     
     
         2 . The medical implant of  claim 1  wherein the implant is covered or coated in whole or in part with a composition comprising an anthracycline, fluoropyrimidine, folic acid antagonist, podophylotoxin, camptothecin, hydroxyurea, or platinum complex.  
     
     
         3 . The medical implant of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the anthracycline is doxorubicin or mitoxantrone.  
     
     
         4 . The medical implant of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the fluoropyrimidine is 5-fluorouracil.  
     
     
         5 . The medical implant of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the folic acid antagonist is methotrexate.  
     
     
         6 . The medical implant of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the podophylotoxin is etoposide.  
     
     
         7 . The medical implant of  claim 2  wherein the composition further comprises a polymer.  
     
     
         8 . The medical implant of  claim 7  wherein the polymer is a biodegradable polymer.  
     
     
         9 . The medical implant of  claim 7  wherein the polymer is a non-biodegradable polymer.  
     
     
         10 . The medical implant of  claim 7  wherein the polymer is a polyurethane.  
     
     
         11 . The medical implant of  claim 7  wherein the polymer is a poly(lactide-co-glycolide).  
     
     
         12 . The medical implant of any one of  claims 7  to  11  wherein the fluoropyrimidine is 5-fluorouracil.  
     
     
         13 . The medical implant of  claim 1  wherein the implant releases the anthracycline, fluoropyrimidine, folic acid antagonist, podophylotoxin, camptothecin, hydroxyurea, or platinum complex.  
     
     
         14 . A method for reducing or inhibiting infection associated with a medical implant, comprising the step of introducing into a patient the medical implant of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the fluoropyrimidine is 5-fluorouracil.  
     
     
         16 . A method for making a medical implant, comprising covering or coating a suture or a thread with an anthracycline, fluoropyrimidine, folic acid antagonist, podophylotoxin, camptothecin, hydroxyurea, or platinum complex.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the fluoropyrimidine is 5-fluorouracil.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the suture or the thread is covered or coated by dipping or by impregnation.