NCIt definition : A controlled-release, intratumoral paclitaxel formulation in which paclitaxel is incorporated
into a thermosensitive, biodegradable triblock copolymer consisting of poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
(PLGA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Upon intratumoral injection, paclitaxel is released
slowly and continuously into tumor tissues from the gelled thermosensitive triblock
copolymer over a period of 4 to 6 weeks; in tumor cells, paclitaxel binds to tubulin
and inhibits the disassembly-assembly dynamics of microtubules, resulting in cell
cycle arrest and cell death. The thermosensitive triblock copolymer component of this
formulation transforms from a water-soluble polymer at room temperature to a water-insoluble,
biodegradable gel depot at body temperature; intratumoral controlled-release of paclitaxel
from the gel minimizes systemic exposure to paclitaxel and the paclitaxel toxicity
profile.;
Semantic type(s)