A gel is provided which is the condensation reaction product of the following composition: (i) at least one condensation curable silyl terminated polymer having at least one hydrolysable and/or hydroxyl functional group(s) per molecule; (ii) a cross-linker selected from the group of a silicone, an organic polymer, a silane or a disilane molecule which contains at least two hydrolysable groups per molecule; and (iii) a condensation catalyst selected from the group of titanates, zirconates or tin (II). The molar ratio of hydroxyl and/or hydrolysable groups in polymer (i) to hydrolysable groups from component (ii) is between 0.5:1 and 1:1 using a monosilane cross-linker or 0.75:1 to 3:1 using disilanes, and the molar ratio of M-OR or tin (II) functions to the hydroxyl and/or hydrolysable group(s) in polymer (i) is comprised between 0.01:1 and 0.5:1, where M is titanium or zirconium. The composition, and uses for the gel are also disclosed.

A composition in a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion is disclosed. The composition comprises: (a) a continuous aqueous phase, comprising H.sub.2O; (b) an oil phase or an oil shell, dispersed in the continuous aqueous phase; and (c) a hydrophilic polymer, stabilizing an interface between the continuous aqueous phase and the oil phase or the oil shell to form the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion. The oil phase or the oil shell comprises: (i) oil; (ii) an internal aqueous phase, dispersed within the oil or the oil shell; and (iii) a lipophilic sorbitan-polyester conjugate, stabilizing an interface between the oil and the inner aqueous phase to form a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion. The lipophilic sorbitan-polyester conjugate comprises: (1) sorbitan; and (2) poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) or polylactic acid (polylactide), conjugated to the sorbitan.

A composition in a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion is disclosed. The composition comprises: (a) a continuous aqueous phase, comprising H.sub.2O; (b) an oil phase or an oil shell, dispersed in the continuous aqueous phase; and (c) a hydrophilic polymer, stabilizing an interface between the continuous aqueous phase and the oil phase or the oil shell to form the water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion. The oil phase or the oil shell comprises: (i) oil; (ii) an internal aqueous phase, dispersed within the oil or the oil shell; and (iii) a lipophilic sorbitan-polyester conjugate, stabilizing an interface between the oil and the inner aqueous phase to form a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion. The lipophilic sorbitan-polyester conjugate comprises: (1) sorbitan; and (2) poly(lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) or polylactic acid (polylactide), conjugated to the sorbitan.

Thin film devices, e.g., multilayer thin film devices, that encapsulate cells for transplantation into a subject are provided. Also provided are methods of using and methods of preparing the subject devices. The thin film devices include a first porous polymer layer and a second porous polymer layer that define a lumen therebetween and encapsulate a population of cells within the lumen. The thin film devices can promote vascularization into the lumen of the device via the pores in the first polymer layer and/or second polymer layer; limit foreign body response to the device; limit ingress of cells, immunoglobulins, and cytokines into the lumen via the first and the second polymer layers; and release from the first polymer layer and/or the second polymer layer molecules secreted by the population of cells.

Thin film devices, e.g., multilayer thin film devices, that encapsulate cells for transplantation into a subject are provided. Also provided are methods of using and methods of preparing the subject devices. The thin film devices include a first porous polymer layer and a second porous polymer layer that define a lumen therebetween and encapsulate a population of cells within the lumen. The thin film devices can promote vascularization into the lumen of the device via the pores in the first polymer layer and/or second polymer layer; limit foreign body response to the device; limit ingress of cells, immunoglobulins, and cytokines into the lumen via the first and the second polymer layers; and release from the first polymer layer and/or the second polymer layer molecules secreted by the population of cells.

Disclosed are methods of treating cancer of the intraperitoneal cavity using compositions comprising nanoparticles without targeting agents. In addition, nanoparticles are described that comprise a highly toxic anticancer agent (e.g., an anticancer agent having an IC.sub.50 less than 1 nM) covalently bound via a linker to a triblock copolymer. Other nanoparticles that comprise Pt(IV) and an anticancer agent are also described. Also disclosed are nanoparticles comprising imaging agents non-covalently associated with a polymer, and methods of imaging cancer of the intraperitoneal cavity using compositions comprising nanoparticles without targeting agents.

Disclosed are methods of treating cancer of the intraperitoneal cavity using compositions comprising nanoparticles without targeting agents. In addition, nanoparticles are described that comprise a highly toxic anticancer agent (e.g., an anticancer agent having an IC.sub.50 less than 1 nM) covalently bound via a linker to a triblock copolymer. Other nanoparticles that comprise Pt(IV) and an anticancer agent are also described. Also disclosed are nanoparticles comprising imaging agents non-covalently associated with a polymer, and methods of imaging cancer of the intraperitoneal cavity using compositions comprising nanoparticles without targeting agents.

A composition comprises: a base oil; an additive comprising a copolymer comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic units; and a drug. The copolymer may for example have a comb structure in which the hydrophobic units and hydrophilic units are pendant chains on a backbone of the copolymer. The hydrophobic units and hydrophilic units may for example comprise polydimethylsiloxane moieties and ethylene glycol residues respectively. The composition may for example be used as a tamponade or as a component for a tamponade administered to the eye. The invention is useful for solubilising and/or releasing drugs.

A composition comprises: a base oil; an additive comprising a copolymer comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic units; and a drug. The copolymer may for example have a comb structure in which the hydrophobic units and hydrophilic units are pendant chains on a backbone of the copolymer. The hydrophobic units and hydrophilic units may for example comprise polydimethylsiloxane moieties and ethylene glycol residues respectively. The composition may for example be used as a tamponade or as a component for a tamponade administered to the eye. The invention is useful for solubilising and/or releasing drugs.

Compounds are provided that are useful as immunomodulators. The compounds have the following Formula (II):

##STR00001##

including stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2a, R.sup.2b, R.sup.2c, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6a, R.sup.6b, m and n are as defined herein. Methods associated with preparation and use of such compounds, as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, are also disclosed.