Aim

Particle Replication in Nonwetting Templates (PRINT(®)) PLGA nanoparticles of docetaxel and acid-labile C2-dimethyl-Si-Docetaxel were evaluated with small molecule docetaxel as treatments for non-small-cell lung cancer brain metastases.

Materials & methods

Pharmacokinetics, survival, tumor growth and mice weight change were efficacy measures against intracranial A549 tumors in nude mice. Treatments were administered by intravenous injection.

Results

Intracranial tumor concentrations of PRINT-docetaxel and PRINT-C2-docetaxel were 13- and sevenfold greater, respectively, than SM-docetaxel. C2-docetaxel conversion to docetaxel was threefold higher in intracranial tumor as compared with nontumor tissues. PRINT-C2-docetaxel increased median survival by 35% with less toxicity as compared with other treatments.

Conclusion

The decreased toxicity of the PRINT-C2-docetaxel improved treatment efficacy against non-small-cell lung cancer brain metastasis.