Clinical Evaluation of 5-Fluorouracil from Transdermal Patches on EAC and DLA Cell-induced Tumors in Mice

Abstract

The aim of the present study was formulate and clinically evaluate 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) transdermal patches.Cytotoxicity was measured by exposing cell suspensions to increasing concentrations of drug from 10-100 μg/mland performing viable cell counts by the trypan blue exclusion method. Results confirmed 100 μg/ml and 50 μg/ml of 5-FU to be cytotoxic to EAC and DLA cells. In mice, increase in the life span (ILS) by 87.1% with amaximum survival time of 30.5 ±1.87 days was found with EAC cell-induced tumors, with an ILS of 88.1% anda maximum survival time of 39.5 ± 1.87 days for DLA cell-induced lesions with 5-FU transdermal patches. Theresults were statistically significant (p<0.01) compared to untreated controls. Pharmacokinetic studies in rabbitsshowed a t1/2 of 29 ± 6 min, a Cmax (ng/ml) of 978.23, an AUC0-∞ (ng/ml/h) of 1213.73 ±14 and a Tmax (h) of0.5. 5-FU from transdermal patches exhibited a half-life of 95 ± 0.5 min, a Cmax (ng/ml) of 863.25, an AUC0-∞(ng/ml/h) of 1567 ± 36 and a Tmax (h) of 1.5. Velcro protection jackets proved suitable in this study to stop micelicking, scratching and rubbing applied patches.