Sunitinib microspheres based on [PDLLA-PEG-PDLLA]-b-PLLA multi-block copolymers for ocular drug delivery

•[PDLA-PEG-PDLA]-b-[PLLA] copolymers with different ratios of PEG% were synthesized.•Microspheres of copolymers with higher PEG% showed faster degradation and erosion.•Sunitinib loaded microspheres showed sustained release over more than 5 months.•Either zero-order or sigmoidal release profiles were observed.•Sunitinib microspheres inhibited neovascularization in CAM assay.

Sunitinib is a multi-targeted receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) inhibitor that blocks several angiogenesis related pathways. The aim of this study was to develop sunitinib-loaded polymeric microspheres that can be used as intravitreal formulation for the treatment of ocular diseases. A series of novel multi-block copolymers composed of amorphous blocks of poly-(d,l-lactide) (PDLLA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) and of semi-crystalline poly-(l-lactide) (PLLA) blocks were synthesized. Sunitinib-loaded microspheres were prepared by a single emulsion method using dichloromethane as volatile solvent and DMSO as co-solvent. SEM images showed that the prepared microspheres (∼30 μm) were spherical with a non-porous surface. Sunitinib-loaded microspheres were studied for their degradation and in-vitro release behavior. It was found that increasing the percentage of amorphous soft blocks from 10% to 30% accelerated the degradation of the multi-block copolymers. Sunitinib microspheres released their cargo for a period of at least 210 days by a combination of diffusion and polymer erosion. The initial burst (release in 24 h) and release rate could be tailored by controlling the PEG-content of the multi-block copolymers. Sunitinib-loaded microspheres suppressed angiogenesis in a chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. These microspheres therefore hold promise for long-term suppression of ocular neovascularization.

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