Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, accounting for over 600,000 deaths per year. The most common treatment strategy for intermediate and advanced stage unresectable HCC is transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), which involves the local administration of a chemotherapeutic drug combined with arterial occlusion resulting in ischemic tumor necrosis. However, TACE suffers from inadvertent exposure of noncancerous liver parenchyma to embolic agents resulting in liver injury. In some cases, over-embolization has lead to infection, necrosis of unaffected liver tissue, and even liver failure which suggests the need for a biocompatible, multifunctional embolic material which can deliver anticancer drugs with high target specificity. Our laboratory has recently developed a method to fabricate porous silicon (pSi) microparticles with defined physicochemical properties based on photolithography and anodic etching. These microparticles function as multistage drug delivery systems that can circumvent the biobarriers present in the systemic circulation enabling site-specific localization and release of chemotherapy and imaging agents. The versatility of the fabrication process enables the realization of microparticles ranging in size from 600nm to 116[mu]m in diameter with varying shapes, including discoidal, cylindrical and hemispherical, and varying porosity with pore sizes ranging from 6nm to greater than 50nm in diameter. Nanoparticles, such as quantum dots, siRNA-loaded nanoliposomes, gadolinium-based contrast agents, gold and iron oxide nanoparticles, are loaded in pSi microparticles by tailoring their pore sizes and surface chemistries. This thesis presents preliminary results on the applicability of biocompatible, engineered pSi microparticles as an embolic agent for HCC chemoembolization therapy. Hemispherical microparticles with 116[mu]m diameter were successfully fabricated and suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). A microvascular construct was rapid prototyped in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as an in vitro experimental platform to study the embolization behavior of pSi microparticles. Oxidized pSi microparticles were introduced into the microfluidic device at an appropriate flow rate and time-lapse images were taken showing the formation of occlusions at the bifurcation within minutes of administration. Furthermore, penetration through the bifurcation was completely hindered suggesting that pSi microparticles can potentially be used as a biocompatible, multifunctional chemoembolization agent. Although these results are promising, further investigations are warranted.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(薬科学) / 甲第21048号 / 薬科博第91号 / 新制||薬科||10(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院薬学研究科薬科学専攻 / (主査)教授 髙倉 喜信, 教授 山下 富義, 教授 小野 正博 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Kyoto University / DFAM

Lipid-based drug delivery systems (LBDDSs) are becoming an increasingly popular approach to improve the oral absorption of poorly-water soluble drugs. Several possible mechanisms have been proposed to explain the means by which LBDDSs act in vivo to enhance absorption. The goal of the current dissertation is to provide a better understanding of one proposed mechanism; the capability of lipoidal components in LBDDS formulations to create and maintain a drug in a supersaturated state under simulated GI conditions. Moreover, molecular details of equilibrium solubilization of a drug in a series of model lipid assemblies were examined. The results of these studies will aid formulators in choosing the optimal LBDDS to improve oral absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs. Time-dependent solubilization behavior of progesterone, 17β-estradiol and nifedipine in a simple model LBDDS composed of Polysorbate 80 was assessed employing the in vitro dynamic lipolysis model. The results illustrated the extent to which the supersaturated state was dependent on the extent of lipolysis of Polysorbate 80 and the initial drug concentration. Area-under-the curve-supersaturation was proposed as a means of quantifying the time-dependent extent of supersaturation in LBDDSs in simulated intestinal conditions. Concurrently, a series of model mixed micellar solutions, composed of Polysorbate 80 and oleic acid, were prepared to represent the lipid assemblies produced during the lipolysis experiments. The ability of these aggregates to solubilize progesterone, 17β-estradiol and nifedipine were evaluated and the aggregate/water partition coefficients were determined. The Treinor model was found to successfully fit the partition coefficients of the drugs in a range of mixed micelles. The equilibrium solubility of drugs in the mixed micelles was calculated and compared to that found under lipolytic conditions. The best agreement between calculated and experimental conditions was observed for nifedipine. These studies have established a foundation for the evaluation of time-dependent extent of supersaturation with more complex LBDDS formulations exposed to lipolytic conditions.

This dissertation discusses anti-HIV-1 microbicide research. In particular, it concentrates on microbicide formulation and delivery. Microbicides are anti-HIV-1 agents that when applied in the human vagina or rectum may prevent sexual HIV-1 transmission. Although most of the anti-HIV-1 agents being developed as microbicides are active in vitro, they have proved to be ineffective in vivo. A review of microbicide development over the last decade expounds the view that unsatisfactory microbicide failures may be a result of inefficient delivery systems employed. Thus, necessitating a thorough scientific qualitative and quantitative investigation of important aspects involved in HIV-1 transmission as a prerequisite for microbicide development. In this dissertation it is postulated that intravaginal targeting of HIV-1 increases the chances of microbicide success, wherein vaginal micro-environmental factors including pH would be maintained at HIV-1 prohibitive acidic levels to ward off other sexually transmitted diseases which compromise vaginal epithelial barrier properties. Furthermore, targeting early stages of the HIV-1 infection accompanied by computation and delivery of appropriate microbicide quantities could result in an effective microbicide formulation. In an effort to address microbicide formulation challenges, an intravaginal delivery system able to deliver anti-HIV-1 agents (zidovudine and BP36) over 28 days was formulated. This delivery system is a caplet-shaped composite system comprising zidovudine (AZT) and BP36-loaded pectin-mucin-polyethylene glycol submicrospheres embedded within a poly(D,L-lactide), magnesium stearate, polyvinyl acetate/polyvinylpyrolidone (Kollidon® SR) and poly(acrylic acid) based polymeric caplet matrix. The delivery system was tested in vitro and in vivo in the pig model. X-ray imaging illustrated the delivery system swelling and its matrix contrast fading over time as vaginal fluid permeated the matrix’s core. Plasma, vaginal fluid and tissue drug was detected and quantified using ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem photodiode array detector. AZT plasma and vaginal fluid concentrations measured on days; 3, 7, 14, 21 and 28 decreased gradually with time. Vaginal tissue AZT concentrations (after 28 days) were higher than plasma AZT concentrations and were in the same range as vaginal fluid AZT concentrations. The herbal extract, BP36, was detected in plasma, vaginal fluid and tissue but was only qualitatively analysed due to its lack of standardization. Histopathological analysis of excised vaginal tissue revealed different scores of abnormalities comprising mild to moderate epithelial proliferation and exocytosis, subepithelial leukocyte influx, perivascular cell cuffing and isolated epithelial erosion, stromal fibrosis and isolated tissue necrosis.

Les polymères présentant des liens phosphoesters dans leur squelette sont biodégradables et constituent une classe émergente de nouveaux biomatériaux, utiles notamment dans le domaine de la délivrance de médicaments. La pentavalence du phosphore offre de nombreuses possibilités d’en varier la structure ce qui permet d’envisager une gamme diversifiée de propriétés pour ces matériaux.Cette thèse envisage la synthèse et l’utilisation de nouveaux copolymères biséquencés de polyoxyde d’éthylène et de polyphosphotriester portant des insaturations pendantes comme plateforme pour l’élaboration de systèmes de délivrance avancés. D’une part, l’auto-assemblage en milieu aqueux de copolymères amphiphiles porteurs de groupes butènyles permet l’obtention de micelles à coeur réticulé dans lesquelles la doxorubicine peut être incorporée par imprégnation. Ces nanovecteurs micellaires montrent une stabilité et un taux d’encapsulation supérieurs aux systèmes non réticulés correspondants.D’autre part, des copolymères porteurs de groupes alcynyl ou allyl pendants sont convertis en copolymères doublement hydrophiles capables de complexer le calcium. Utilisés comme agent structurant pour la formation de particules de carbonate de calcium, ceux-ci permettent d’en réduire la taille et son hétérogénéité de façon remarquable. Le recours à un procédé utilisant le dioxyde de carbone à l’état supercritique conduit ainsi à des particules de 1.5μm.Enfin, l’ajout de lysozyme à ce procédé permet son encapsulation dans les particules de CaCO3, en préservant l’activité de cette protéine plus efficacement que le procédé conventionnel recourant à l’acide hyaluronique. / Polymers with repeating phosphoester linkages in the backbone are biodegradable and emerged as a promising class of novel biomaterials, especially in the field of drug delivery systems. The pentavalency of the phosphorus atom offers a large diversity of structures and as a consequence a wide range of properties for these materials.The thesis focused on the synthesis of novel well-defined diblock copolymers made of one hydrophilic polyethylene oxide (PEO) block and one polyphosphotriester (PPE) block bearing unsaturations as side-group, as a platform for the design of advanced drug delivery systems.Firstly, novel alkenyl PEO-b-PPE amphiphilic copolymers were self-assembled in water, taking profit of the unsaturations to prepare core cross-linked micelles. Doxorubicin could be successfully loaded by impregnation in these micellar nanocarriers leading to improved stability and loading as compared to the corresponding non-cross-linked systems.Besides, the alkynyl and allyl unsaturations of PEO-b-PPE copolymers were used to prepare novel double hydrophilic block copolymers exhibiting calcium complexation capabilities. They were found quite efficient as template for the formation of calcium carbonate particles providing particles of unprecedented small size, and high size homogeneity. The use of a supercritical carbon dioxide process with carboxylic acid containing copolymers allows reaching CaCO3 particles about 1.5 μm. Finally, we demonstrate that adding lysozyme to the process allows encapsulation of this enzyme into the CaCO3 carriers, the protein activity being better preserved by using the PPE-b-PEO as compared to more conventional hyaluronic acid as a template.

O objetivo deste estudo clínico foi avaliar a eficácia clínica de um dispositivo polimérico celulósico carregado com sal anestésico, na prevenção da dor pré-procedimento operatório em odontologia, diminuindo ou eliminando o uso de agulhas gengivais em anestesias infiltrativas. Foram testados três dispositivos com propriedade bioadesiva para a liberação modificada de fármacos em contato com a mucosa oral, um contendo um núcleo central de prilocaína e lidocaína em iguais concentrações e um contendo somente lidocaína, a liberação dos princípios ativos se deu pelo processo de fast-dissolve, e o terceiro constituído somente pelo sistema bioadesivo, sem qualquer sal anestésico(controle negativo), em desenho pareado. Os dispositivos foram aplicados na região do fórnice do vestíbulo dos pré-molares superiores, após limpeza e secagem superficial da mucosa. Foram selecionados 21 voluntários de ambos os gêneros, normotipos, saudáveis, com faixa etária entre 18 e 30 anos, para um teste clínico randomizado, controlado, crossover e triplo-cego. O teste de sintomatologia pré e pós-aplicação foi realizado com o emprego da sonda computadorizada Florida Probe® System, (Florida Probe Corporation, Gainesville, FL, USA), aplicada no sentido perpendicular ao tecido mucoso, simulando o uso de agulha gengival e com pressão constante de 25 gramas, já calibrada pelo próprio sistema, foi aplicado também o teste térmico com o uso de Endo-Frost® Roeko para verificação da profundidade anestésica em nível pulpar. Para a mensuração da sintomatologia dolorosa presente/ausente foi utilizada escala visual analógica (EVA) e a versão em Língua Portuguesa do McGill Pain Questionnaire. Os indivíduos receberam instruções de como responder aos questionários para mensuração dos estímulos dolorosos, que foram computados imediatamente após a resposta. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram uma eficiência anestésica favorável para os dois dispositivos carregados com os sais onde não houve diferença estatística quanto ao efeito, porém na relação efeito versus tempo o dispositivo com os dois sais apresentou melhor resultado para o teste térmico. Conclui-se que ambos os dispositivos (B e C) apresentaram efeito anestésico tanto tópico quanto em profundidade pela diminuição da dor provocada pelos dois testes (mecânico/térmico) propostos. / The objective of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of a cellulosic polymer dispositive loaded with anesthetic salt to prevent pain in dentistry pre-operative procedure, reducing or eliminating the use of gingival needles in infiltrative anesthesia. Three dispositives were tested with bioadhesive property for drugs delivery system in contact with the oral mucosa, containing prilocaine and lidocaine at same concentrations, and other containing just lidocaine with release of active elements through the process of fast-dissolve, and the other only the same bioadhesive system, without the active (negative control), paired study, which was applied in the region of the superior premolars, the mucosal surface after cleaning. Were selected 21 volunteers of both genders, normotype, healthy, aged between 18 and 30 years for a clinical trial, randomized, controlled, crossover and triple-blind. The test of symptoms before and after application was made using the electronic probe Florida Probe System® (Florida Probe Corporation, Gainesville, FL, USA), applied perpendicularly to the mucosal tissue, simulating the use of gingival needle a constant pressure of 25 grams, already calibrated by the system itself. Additional thermal testing will be proved employing Endo-Frost® tester. For the measurement of pain symptoms present / absent was used a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Portuguese language version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire adapted by Varolli and Pedrazzi (2006), using an appendix to the questionnaire (Group 9 table 1). Individuals have received instructions on how to answer the questionnaire for the measurement of painful stimuli, which would be counted immediately after the response. The results demonstrated a favorable anesthetic efficiency for both dispositive loaded with salts where there was no statistical difference in the effect, but for the relationship effect versus time the dispositive with two salts showed better results. It can be concluded that both devices (B and C) presented as both topical and depth anesthetic by decreasing the pain caused by the two mechanical/thermal proposed tests.

A ortopedia e a odontologia têm especial interesse às tecnologias biocompatíveis que apresentam a fase alfa do fosfato tricálcico (α-TCP), pois estas são capazes de formar hidroxiapatita deficiente em cálcio, similar à óssea. Porém, a baixa resistência mecânica limita sua aplicação. A fim de superar essa limitação, foi agregada acrilamida ao cimento α-TCP, com redutor de líquido, originando o cimento α-TCP de dupla pega. A partir disso foram desenvolvidos compostos à base de cimento de α-TCP e α-TCP de dupla pega agregados dos fármacos sulfato de gentamicina, cloridratos de lidocaína, bupivacaína e levobupivacaína e testada sua funcionalidade como sistemas de liberação de fármacos. Não existem dados bibliográficos sobre liberação de fármacos por sistemas de cimento α-TCP de dupla pega. A metodologia utilizada foi qualiquantitativa. Para as diferenças analíticas considerou-se o intervalo de confiança de 95% com nível de significância menor que 5% (p<0,05). O estudo compreendeu três fases. Na Fase 1 foram elaborados corpos de prova à base de cimento α-TCP e α-TCP de dupla pega com e sem (grupo-controle) adição de fármacos. Na Fase 2 os biomateriais estudados foram caracterizados por difração de raios X, espectroscopia de absorção no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, microscopia eletrônica de varredura, resistência mecânica a compressão axial, densidade, porosidade e absorção de líquido; sendo também proposta a análise da porosidade por meio de imagens. A Fase 3 corresponde ao estudo da cinética da liberação dos fármacos in vitro, onde os corpos de prova foram imersos em solução tampão fosfato pH 7,0 e as amostras analisadas por meio de UV-vis. A liberação do antibiótico também foi avaliada por Espectroscopia de Impedância Eletroquímica (EIS), como proposta inovadora. Conforme os resultados, ambos os cimentos funcionaram como sistemas de liberação dos fármacos. Tanto o sistema hidrogel, quanto os fármacos não modificaram as propriedades estruturais do cimento. O sistema com hidrogel apresentou melhor resistência mecânica. A difusão Fickiana foi o principal mecanismo envolvido no processo de liberação dos fármacos, com menor influência do relaxamento das cadeias. A técnica de EIS mostrou-se promissora para avaliação de liberação de fármacos. / To better regulate it is necessary to know the new Technologies. Orthopedics and dentistry have demonstrated special interest in biocompatible technologies that present the alpha phase of tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP), whit can form calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (like bone hydroxyapatite). However, its application is limited by the low mechanical resistance. To overcome this limitation, acrylic hydrogel containing liquid reducer was added to the α-TCP cement, resulting in the α-TCP double setting cement. From this, composites of α-TCP and α-TCP double setting cements aggregates of the drugs gentamicin sulfate, lidocaine, bupivacaine and levobupivacaine hydrochlorides were developed and the functionality drug delivery systems was tested. There isn't bibliographic data about drugs release systems by α-TCP double setting cement. Qualitative and quantitative methodologies were applied. For the analytical differences, we considered the 95% confidence interval with a level of significance lower than 5% (p <0.05). It comprised three different phases. In Phase 1, an α-TCP and α-TCP double setting cement specimens were prepared with and without (control group) drugs addition. In Phase 2, the studied biomaterials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, compression mechanical resistance, density, porosity and liquid absorption, being also proposed of the porosity analysis by images. The Phase 3 corresponds to the study of the in vitro drug release kinetics. The specimens were immersed in phosphate buffer solution pH 7.0 and the samples analyzed by UV-vis. As an innovative proposal, drug release was also assessed using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). According to the results, both cements functioned as controlled drug delivery systems. The hydrogel improved the properties of cement moreover the drugs did not impair these properties. Fick diffusion was the main mechanism involved in the process of drug release by composites, with a minor influence of polymer chain relaxation. The EIS technique proved to be promising for the evaluation of drug release.

O objetivo deste estudo clínico foi avaliar a eficácia clínica de um dispositivo polimérico celulósico carregado com sal anestésico, na prevenção da dor pré-procedimento operatório em odontologia, diminuindo ou eliminando o uso de agulhas gengivais em anestesias infiltrativas. Foram testados três dispositivos com propriedade bioadesiva para a liberação modificada de fármacos em contato com a mucosa oral, um contendo um núcleo central de prilocaína e lidocaína em iguais concentrações e um contendo somente lidocaína, a liberação dos princípios ativos se deu pelo processo de fast-dissolve, e o terceiro constituído somente pelo sistema bioadesivo, sem qualquer sal anestésico(controle negativo), em desenho pareado. Os dispositivos foram aplicados na região do fórnice do vestíbulo dos pré-molares superiores, após limpeza e secagem superficial da mucosa. Foram selecionados 21 voluntários de ambos os gêneros, normotipos, saudáveis, com faixa etária entre 18 e 30 anos, para um teste clínico randomizado, controlado, crossover e triplo-cego. O teste de sintomatologia pré e pós-aplicação foi realizado com o emprego da sonda computadorizada Florida Probe® System, (Florida Probe Corporation, Gainesville, FL, USA), aplicada no sentido perpendicular ao tecido mucoso, simulando o uso de agulha gengival e com pressão constante de 25 gramas, já calibrada pelo próprio sistema, foi aplicado também o teste térmico com o uso de Endo-Frost® Roeko para verificação da profundidade anestésica em nível pulpar. Para a mensuração da sintomatologia dolorosa presente/ausente foi utilizada escala visual analógica (EVA) e a versão em Língua Portuguesa do McGill Pain Questionnaire. Os indivíduos receberam instruções de como responder aos questionários para mensuração dos estímulos dolorosos, que foram computados imediatamente após a resposta. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram uma eficiência anestésica favorável para os dois dispositivos carregados com os sais onde não houve diferença estatística quanto ao efeito, porém na relação efeito versus tempo o dispositivo com os dois sais apresentou melhor resultado para o teste térmico. Conclui-se que ambos os dispositivos (B e C) apresentaram efeito anestésico tanto tópico quanto em profundidade pela diminuição da dor provocada pelos dois testes (mecânico/térmico) propostos. / The objective of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy of a cellulosic polymer dispositive loaded with anesthetic salt to prevent pain in dentistry pre-operative procedure, reducing or eliminating the use of gingival needles in infiltrative anesthesia. Three dispositives were tested with bioadhesive property for drugs delivery system in contact with the oral mucosa, containing prilocaine and lidocaine at same concentrations, and other containing just lidocaine with release of active elements through the process of fast-dissolve, and the other only the same bioadhesive system, without the active (negative control), paired study, which was applied in the region of the superior premolars, the mucosal surface after cleaning. Were selected 21 volunteers of both genders, normotype, healthy, aged between 18 and 30 years for a clinical trial, randomized, controlled, crossover and triple-blind. The test of symptoms before and after application was made using the electronic probe Florida Probe System® (Florida Probe Corporation, Gainesville, FL, USA), applied perpendicularly to the mucosal tissue, simulating the use of gingival needle a constant pressure of 25 grams, already calibrated by the system itself. Additional thermal testing will be proved employing Endo-Frost® tester. For the measurement of pain symptoms present / absent was used a visual analog scale (VAS) and the Portuguese language version of the McGill Pain Questionnaire adapted by Varolli and Pedrazzi (2006), using an appendix to the questionnaire (Group 9 table 1). Individuals have received instructions on how to answer the questionnaire for the measurement of painful stimuli, which would be counted immediately after the response. The results demonstrated a favorable anesthetic efficiency for both dispositive loaded with salts where there was no statistical difference in the effect, but for the relationship effect versus time the dispositive with two salts showed better results. It can be concluded that both devices (B and C) presented as both topical and depth anesthetic by decreasing the pain caused by the two mechanical/thermal proposed tests.

Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

5-Fluorouracil (5FU) is a pyrimidine analogue, indicated for the therapy of proliferative skin diseases such as actinic keratosis (AK), superficial basal cell carcinoma and psoriasis. It has also been used for the treatment of solid tumours like colorectal, breast and liver carcinomas for nearly 40 years. Although 5FU has always been administered parenterally and orally, metabolism is rapid and absorption is erratic. Several severe side-effects are also commonly associated with 5FU therapy, including myelosuppression, hand-foot syndrome and gastrointestinal effects. Seeing that 5FU is an important part of the treatment of several malignant and pre-malignant disorders, it would be advantageous to find a delivery route and delivery system that negate absorption and metabolic variation and decrease side-effects. The transdermal route provides a promising alternative to the above-mentioned conventional delivery routes, solving most of the problems associated with parenteral and oral administration. That being said, the formidable barrier situated in the skin is not easily breached. The stratum corneum, the outermost skin layer, is mostly lipophilic in nature, preventing hydrophilic molecules such as 5FU from entering. 5FU-containing creams and lotions are currently commercially available, but absorption is still very limited. The transdermal absorption from these formulations has been compared to that obtained with the use of new transdermal delivery vehicles, with the newer formulations proving to be promising. It was decided to entrap 5FU in a novel therapeutic system, in the form of the Pheroid™ system, to increase its transdermal penetration. Pheroid™ vesicles are stable spherical structures in a unique, emulsion-like formulation, and fall in the submicron range. The main components of the Pheroid™ system are the ethyl esters of the essential fatty acids linoleic acid and linolenic acid, as well as the cys-form of oleic acid, and water. The formulation is saturated with nitrous oxide (N20). Although Pheroid™ vesicles may resemble other lipid-based vehicles, such as liposomes and micro-emulsions, they are unique in the sense that they have inherent therapeutic qualities as well. The Pheroid™ formulation can be specifically manipulated to yield different types of vesicles, ensuring a fast transport rate, high entrapment efficiency, rapid delivery and stability of the delivery system for a specific drug. In this study, 5FU was entrapped in the Pheroid™ formulation. Transdermal permeation studies were then performed to evaluate the influence of this delivery system on the transdermal flux of 5FU. Vertical Franz diffusion cells were utilised to determine the transdermal penetration of 5FU. Only Caucasian female abdominal skin was used to minimise physiological variables. Diffusion studies were done over 12 hour periods, with the entire receptor phase being withdrawn at predetermined intervals. Samples were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), after which the cumulative concentration of active was plotted against time. The linear portion of this graph represents the flux of 5FU through the skin. It was found that there were differences in the results between formulations containing 5FU in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS)-based Pheroid™ and water-based Pheroid™, though the difference was not statistically significant. The 0.5 % 5FU in water-based Pheroid™ resulted in a significantly bigger yield than the control (1 % 5FU in water) as well as a significant difference to the 1 % 5FU in PBS-based Pheroid™ formulation. In general the water-based Pheroid™ formulations had greater average cumulative concentrations, yields and fluxes than the other formulations. The fluxes obtained with the water-based Pheroid™ formulations also correlated well with a previous study done by Kilian (2004). Thus it can be concluded that the Pheroid™ therapeutic delivery system enhances the transdermal penetration of 5FU. Water-based Pheroid™ formulations proved to be more effective than PBS-based Pheroid™ formulations. It can also be concluded that a 0.5 % 5FU in water-based Pheroid™ formulation can be used instead of a 1 % formulation, because there were no statistically significant differences between the two formulations. This would be advantageous - patient compliance can be enhanced because of a more tolerable formulation with fewer side effects, while manufacturing cost is lowered by using a lower concentration of active. It is recommended that some aspects of the study be investigated further to optimise the transdermal delivery of 5FU using the Pheroid™ therapeutic system. These aspects include optimising the composition of the Pheroid formulation, investigating the entrapment process of 5FU within Pheroid™ spheres, the influence of PBS and water as basis of the Pheroid™ formulation and the amount of 5FU remaining in the epidermis after the 12 hour period of the diffusion study. Keywords: 5-Fluorouracil, Franz diffusion cell, Heat separated epidermis, Skin penetration, Transdermal, Drug delivery system, Pheroid™ / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmaceutics))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.