Morphology engineering of a novel poly(L-lactide)/poly(1,5-dioxepan-2-one) microsphere system for controlled drug delivery

Abstract

Morphology is presented as a powerful tool to control the in vitro degradation and drug release characteristics of novel drug delivery microspheres prepared from homopolymer blends of 1,5-dioxepan-2-one, DXO, and L-lactide, L-LA. Their performance in this respect was compared to analogous P(L-LA-co-DXO) microspheres. Blends formed denser and less porous microspheres with a higher degree of matrix crystallinity than copolymers of corresponding L-LA:DXO composition. The morphology differences of blends and copolymers, further adjustable by means of component ratio, are shown to have a vital impact on the in vitro performance. Sustained drug delivery was obtained from both copolymers and blends. Molecular weight loss was retarded and diffusion-mediated release was inhibited in the latter case, further delaying the release process. The effects of storage on the physicochemical properties of these systems were evaluated under desiccated and moist conditions for 5 months. Storage-induced physicochemical changes, such as matrix crystallization and molecular weight decrease, were accelerated at higher relative humidities. P(L-LA-co-DXO) demonstrated higher moisture sensitivity than a PLLA-PDXO blend of corresponding composition. The more crystalline and dense morphology of blend microspheres may thus be considered an improvement of the storage stability. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 786–796, 2000