Computer simulation of the delivery of etanidazole to brain tumor from PLGA wafers: comparison between linear and double burst release systems

This paper presents the computer simulation results on the delivery of Etanidazole (radiosensitizer) to the brain tumor and examines several factors affecting the delivery. The simulation consists of a 3D model of tumor with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) wafers with 1% Etanidazole loading implanted in the resected cavity. A zero-order release device will produce a concentration profile in the tumor which increases with time until the drug in the carrier is depleted. This causes toxicity complications during the later stages of drug treatment. However, for wafers of similar loading, such release results in a higher drug penetration depth and therapeutic index as compared to the double drug burst profile. The numerical accuracy of the model was verified by the similar results obtained in the two-dimensional and three-dimensional models.