3D printed tacrolimus suppositories for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a global health problem, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. As an inflammatory condition localised in the large intestine, rectal delivery of immunosuppressive therapies such as tacrolimus is a promising strategy to maximise drug concentration at the site of action wh...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Seoane Viaño, Iria, Ong, Jun Jie, Luzardo Álvarez, Asteria María, González Barcia, Miguel, Basit, Abdul W., Otero Espinar, Francisco Javier, Goyanes Goyanes, Álvaro
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
Repositorio:Minerva. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:minerva.usc.gal:10347/45082
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10347/45082
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:3D printed drug products
Semi-solid extrusion 3D printing
Inflammatory bowel disease
Suppository drug delivery
Pressure assisted syringe
M3dimaker
Descripción
Sumario:Ulcerative colitis is a global health problem, affecting millions of individuals worldwide. As an inflammatory condition localised in the large intestine, rectal delivery of immunosuppressive therapies such as tacrolimus is a promising strategy to maximise drug concentration at the site of action whilst minimising systemic side effects. Here, for the first time, self-supporting 3D-printed tacrolimus suppositories were prepared without the aid of moulds using a pharmaceutical semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printer. The suppositories were printed vertically in three different sizes using combinations of two lipid pharmaceutical excipients (Gelucire 44/14 or Gelucire 48/16) and coconut oil. Although both suppository formulations had the appropriate viscosity characteristics for printing, the Gel 44 formulation required less energy and force for extrusion compared to the Gel 48 system. The Gel 44 disintegrated more rapidly but released tacrolimus more slowly than the Gel 48 suppositories. Although the tacrolimus release profiles were significantly different, both suppository systems released more than 80% drug within 120 min. DSC and XRD analysis was inconclusive in determining the solid-state properties of the drug in the suppositories. In summary, this article reports on the fabrication of 3D printed selfsupporting suppositories to deliver personalised doses of a narrow therapeutic index drug, with potential benefits for patients with ulcerative colitis.