Enhanced anti-cancer effect of 5-fluorouracil loaded into thermo-responsive conjugated linoleic acid-incorporated poloxamer hydrogel on metastatic colon cancer models.

Conjugated linoleic acid-coupled Pluronic F127 (Plu-CLA) is an effective drug delivery system with numerous advantages and anti-cancer activity. 5-FU administered in Plu-CLA hydrogel (P-FU) led to the significant enhancement of tumor growth suppression and cellular apoptosis. Moreover, growth of hepatic and intraperitoneal metastases in vivo was significantly reduced in mice treated with P-FU. Therefore, Plu-CLA could be a potential intraperitoneal carrier for hydrophilic 5-FU for the effective treatment of metastatic colon cancer.