Dorota Sylwia Sawczuk, Zuzanna Perkowska, Maciej Małecki

Ointments, creams and gels in experimental and clinical oncology
2023-05-25

The treatment of oncology patients is most often identified with the use of chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. Due to the safety of use of the semi-solid formulations, compared to classical systemic therapy in oncology, are gaining more and more interest among researchers. Effective topical pharmacotherapy in oncology using semi-solid formulations is a technological challenge for pharmacists. The structure of the epidermis makes it difficult for hydrophilic anticancer substances to penetrate into the deeper parts of the skin. Active substances remain in the stratum corneum, which is a physiological barier of the skin. Due to technological problems a small number of externally applied preparations, which are indicated for anticancer treatment have been registrated so far.

The aim of this study was to assess the availability of oncological drugs applied in semi-solid preparations, mainly ointments, creams and gels. The paper reviews the literature for experimental studies, clinical trials as well as data from the Polish Patent Office and the European Patent Office verifying the usefulness of semi-solid formulations were review in this article. Attention was paid to the physicochemical properties of the active substances. Also in this article was evaluated the pharmaceutical form as well as to the characteristics of the excipients. The research focuses on drug forms such as creams (60%), gels (25%) and ointments (15%).

The topical application of drugs with anticancer activity promotes increased therapeutic efficacy. Use of external pharmacotherapy, it is possible to minimise systemic side effects, to target the tumour lesion directly and to achieve an optimal concentration of the therapeutic substance at the target site. Semi-solid forms can be recommended for patients who are not eligible for surgery or systemic chemotherapy. Of particular interest are creams and gels containing well recognised cytostatics in oncology, such as 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, tamoxifen.

Keywords: cancer, oncology, gels, ointment, creams, topical anticancer formulations.

© Farm Pol, 2023, 79(1): 55–64