Abstract: A composition comprising microspheres of a polymer matrix, having two different pharmaceutical actives having complementary, usually synergistic, activity in killing cells. The compositions have particular utility for treating tumours. Useful combinations are doxorubicin with rapamycin, irinotecan with ibuprofen, ibuprofen with doxorubicin and irinotecan with doxorubicin. The polymer matrix is preferably a crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol. The drugs may be included in the same microsphere, or microspheres each with an individual pharmaceutical agent may be mixed together. The microspheres are preferably used in chemoembolisation of tumours.

Abstract: A process is described for loading hydrophilic polymer particles with a water-insoluble solvent-soluble drug. The particles are preferably embolic agents. The method provides particles having little or no drug at the surface and in a surface layer, whereby the burst effect is minimised. The drug is precipitated in the core of the particle, leading to extended release. The drug is, for instance, paclitaxel, rapamycin, dexamethasone or ibuprofen.

Abstract: A process is described for loading hydrophilic polymer particles with a water-insoluble solvent-soluble drug. The particles are preferably embolic agents. The method provides particles having little or no drug at the surface and in a surface layer, whereby the burst effect is minimised. The drug is precipitated in the core of the particle, leading to extended release. The drug is, for instance, paclitaxel, rapamycin, dexamethasone or ibuprofen.

Abstract: There is provided a new use of microspheres comprising a water-insoluble, water-swellable polymer which is anionically charged at pH7, and electrostatically associated with the polymer, in releasable form, a cationically charged chemotherapeutic agent, in the manufacture of a composition for use in the treatment of a brain tumour, wherein in the treatment the composition is introduced into the brain and the chemotherapeutic agent is released from the microspheres, wherein the microspheres, when equilibrated in water at 37° C., comprise at least 40 wt % water based on weight of polymer plus water. Compositions comprising the microspheres and methods for the treatment of brain tumours are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a new polymerisation process in which ethylenically unsaturated monomers are polymerised by a living radical polymerisation process in the presence of an initiator and a catalyst. Polymers produced by this new process are also thought to be novel and may be used to derivatise biological molecules to improve their efficacy as therapeutic treatments. A preferred polymer is of formula The polymers are particularly suitable for derivatising proteins, such as interferon-?.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for loading microsphere polymer particles with crystallisable drug, in the presence of a crystallisation inhibitor whereby crystallisation of the drug is inhibited. The invention is of particular value for loading polymer beads with paclitaxel, ibuprofen and/or dexamethasone. The polymer is suitably an anionic polyvinyl alcohol polymer.

Abstract: An embolic composition comprises microspheres formed of water-insoluble water-swellable anionic polymer having swollen diameter more than 100 ?m, and a cationic camptothecin compound, preferably irinotecan. The microspheres are preferably formed of crosslinked polyvinylalcohol, preferably of ethylenically unsaturated polyvinylalcohol macromer, crosslinked with anionic ethylenically unsaturated anionic comonomer. The compositions are used to treat hypervascular tumours for instance colorectal metastases of the liver.