The first nano-cocrystal formulation of marine drug cytarabine with uracil based on cocrystal nanonization strategy for long-acting injection exhibiting enhanced antitumor activity

Drug-Drug Cocrystal Alloy and Nanoformulation of Cytarabine: Optimized Biopharmaceutical Property and Synergistic Antitumor Efficacy

An integrated strategy by combining cocrystallization with nanotechnology is developed to optimize in vitro/vivo performances of marine antitumor drug cytarabine (ARA) and further obtain innovative insights into the exploitation of cocrystal alloy nanoformulation. Therein, the optimization of properties and synergistic effects of ARA mainly depends on assembling with uracil (U) and antitumor drug 5-fluorouracil (FU) into the same crystal by cocrystallization technology, while the long-term efficacy is primarily maintained by playing the superiority of nanotechnology. Along this line, the first cocrystal alloy of ARA, viz., ARA-FU-U (0.6:0.4), is successfully obtained and then transformed into a nanocrystal. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis demonstrates that this cocrystal alloy consists of two isomorphic cocrystals of ARA, namely, ARA-FU and ARA-U, in 0.6:0.4 ratio. An R22(8) hydrogen-bonding cyclic system formed by a cytosine fragment of ARA with U or FU can protect and stabilize the amine group on ARA, laying the foundation for regulating its properties. The in vitro/in vivo properties of the cocrystal alloy and its nanocrystals are investigated by theoretical and experimental means. It reveals that both the alloy and nanocrystal can improve physicochemical properties and promote drug absorption, thus bringing to optimized pharmacokinetic behaviors. The nanocrystal produces superior effects than the alloy that helps to extend therapeutic time and action. Particularly, relative to the corresponding binary cocrystal, the synergistic antitumor activity of ARA and FU in the cocrystal alloy is heightened obviously. It may be that U contributes to reducing the degradation of FU, specifically increasing its concentration in tumors to enhance the synergistic effects of FU and ARA. These findings provide new thoughts for the application of cocrystal alloys in the marine drug field and break fresh ground for cocrystal alloy formulations to optimize drug properties.

Nanocrystal technologies in biomedical science: From the bench to the clinic

The pharmaceutical industry is grappling with a pressing crisis in drug development characterized by soaring R&D costs, setbacks in blockbuster drug development due to poor aqueous solubility, and patent-related limitations on newly approved molecules. To combat these challenges, diverse strategies have emerged to enhance the solubility and dissolution rates of Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) II and IV drug molecules. Enter drug nanocrystals, a revolutionary nanotechnology-driven, carrier-free colloidal drug delivery system. This review provides a comprehensive insight into nanocrystal strategies, stabilizer selection criteria, preparation methods, advanced characterization techniques, the evolving nanocrystal technological landscape, current market options, and exciting clinical prospects for reshaping the future of pharmaceuticals.