5-fluorouracil + hyaluronic acid

A combination of the antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and the biopolymer hyaluronic acid (HA), used primarily as a drug delivery system to enhance local or targeted delivery of 5-FU. HA serves as a carrier or matrix for controlled and sustained release of 5-FU, improving its therapeutic index by prolonging drug release at the site of administration and potentially reducing systemic toxicity. This combination has been investigated in various formulations such as hydrogels, nanoparticles, niosomal vesicles, and injectable solutions for applications including cancer therapy (topical or local tumor treatment), ophthalmology (e.g., adjunct in glaucoma surgery to prevent scarring), and other localized therapies. The mechanism involves cytotoxic inhibition of thymidylate synthase by 5-FU leading to impaired DNA synthesis in rapidly dividing cells; HA acts mainly as a biocompatible carrier that can target CD44-expressing cells due to its affinity for CD44 receptors[2][3][4][7].

Other names

5-FU + hyaluronic acid5-fluorouracil/HA5-FU–HA