Sustained and controlled release of daunomycin from cross-linked poly(aldehyde guluronate) hydrogels

We have incorporated daunomycin, an antineoplastic agent, into a biodegrada ble hydrogel through a labile covalent bond. In brief, sodium alginate was chemically broken down to low molecular weight and followed by oxidation to prepare poly(aldehyde guluronate). Adipic dihydrazide was used to incorpor ate the drug into the polymer backbone and cross-link the polymer to form h ydrogels. Daunomycin can be released from the hydrogel after the hydrolysis of the covalent linkage between the drug and the polymer. A wide range of release profiles of daunomycin (e.g., from 2 days to 6 weeks) has been achi eved using these materials, and the biological activity of the released dau nomycin was maintained. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmace utical Association.