Hyaluronidase Coated Molecular Envelope Technology Nanoparticles Enhance Drug Absorption via the Subcutaneous Route

Parenteral chemotherapy is usually administered intravenously, although patient preference and health economics suggest the subcutaneous (sc) route could be an attractive alternative. However, due to the low aqueous solubility of hydrophobic drugs and injection volume limitations, the total amount of drug that can be administered in a single sc injection is frequently insufficient. We have developed hyaluronidase coated nanoparticles (NPs) that efficiently encapsulate such drugs, thus addressing both issues and allowing sufficient amounts of hydrophobic drug to be administered and absorbed effectively. CUDC-101, a poorly water-soluble multitargeted anticancer drug that simultaneously inhibits the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) EGFR and HER2, as well as histone deacetylase (HDAC), was encapsulated in polymeric Molecular Envelope Technology (MET) NPs. The role of polymer chemistry, formulation parameters, and coating with hyaluronidase (HYD) on MET-CUDC-101 NP formulations was examined and optimized to yield high drug loading and colloidal stability, and, after freeze-drying, stable storage at room temperature for up to 90 days. The pharmacokinetic studies in healthy rats showed that plasma AUC0–24h after sc administration correlates tightly with formulation physical chemistry, specifically in vitro colloidal stability. Compared to uncoated NPs, the HYD-coating doubled the drug plasma exposure. In a murine A431 xenograft model, the coated HYD-MET-CUDC-101 NPs at a dose equivalent to 90 mg kg–1 CUDC-101 increased the survival time from 15 days (control animals treated with hyaluronidase alone) to 43 days. Polymer MET nanoparticles coated with hyaluronidase enabled the subcutaneous delivery of a hydrophobic drug with favorable therapeutic outcomes.