Novel polyvinyl-alcohol microsphere for everolimus delivery for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma

Abstract

Everolimus (EVR) has demonstrated efficacy in treating subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) and other tuberous sclerosis (TSC) manifestations. Oral use of EVR is associated with low bioavailability and systemic toxicities culminating in treatment cessation in an appreciable patient population. To circumvent undesired effects, we developed a microsphere embedded formulation of EVR using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with an end-goal to achieve higher bioavailability and sustained delivery.

PVA-EVR microspheres were physically cross-linked using the freeze-thaw technique, and solvent-cast PVA-EVR films were developed as a control, without freezing and thawing cycles to ascertain the techniques significance. In vitro analyses and characterization were performed to determine drug release and drug-polymer compatibility, whereas In silico studies were done to analyze the non-crosslinked polymer and to …