Biodegradable polymersomes from four-arm PEG-b-PDLLA for encapsulating hemoglobin

Polymeric nanoparticles—Promising carriers for cancer therapy

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) play an important role in controlled cancer drug delivery. Anticancer drugs can be conjugated or encapsulated by polymeric nanocarriers, which are known as polymeric nanomedicine. Polymeric nanomedicine has shown its potential in providing sustained release of drugs with reduced cytotoxicity and modified tumor retention, but until now, few delivery systems loading drugs have been able to meet clinical demands, so more efforts are needed. This research reviews the current state of the cancer drug-loading system by exhibiting a series of published articles that highlight the novelty and functions from a variety of different architectures including micelles, liposomes, dendrimers, polymersomes, hydrogels, and metal–organic frameworks. These may contribute to the development of useful polymeric NPs to achieve different therapeutic purposes.

Nanoparticles Based on Linear and Star-Shaped Poly(Ethylene Glycol)-Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Copolymers for the Delivery of Antitubulin Drug

PURPOSE

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles of different architectures based on polyethylene glycol-co-poly(ε-caprolactone) block copolymers have been loaded with noscapine (NOS) to study their effect on its anticancer activity. It was intended to use solubility of NOS in an acidic environment and ability of the nanoparticles to passively target drugs into cancer tissue to modify the NOS pharmacokinetic properties and reduce the requirement for frequent injections.

METHODS

Linear and star-shaped copolymers were synthetized and used to formulate NOS loaded nanoparticles. Cytotoxicity was performed using a sulforhodamine B method on MCF-7 cells, while biocompatibility was determined on rats followed by hematological and histopathological investigations.

RESULTS

Formulae with the smallest particle sizes and adequate entrapment efficiency revealed that NOS loaded nanoparticles showed higher extent of release at pH 4.5. Colloidal stability suggested that nanoparticles would be stable in blood when injected into the systemic circulation. Loaded nanoparticles had IC50 values lower than free drug. Hematological and histopathological studies showed no difference between treated and control groups. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that formulation P1 had a prolonged half-life and better bioavailability compared to drug solution.

CONCLUSIONS

Formulation of NOS into biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles has increased its efficacy and residence on cancer cells while passively avoiding normal body tissues. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Preparation of 4-arm star PELA and its encapsulation of rotavirus for drug delivery

A relatively high molecular weight of 4-arm star PELA was obtained by ring-opening polymerization of l-lactic acid O-carboxyanhydride with 4-arm-PEG in the presence of DMAP as an initiator. The results via(1)H NMR and (13)C NMR show that the end of the star PELA chain is a hydroxyl group and the central core is a PEG group. Rotavirus (strain SA11) was incorporated into 4-arm star PELA microspheres formulated by the water in oil in water emulsification solvent extraction method. The microspheres produced were spherical, and the mean diameter was 1.34 μm with a narrow size distribution. The drug release profile displayed a low burst release effect of 1.8% on the first day and a sustained release of antigen over 100 days. After the immunization of mice, the microsphere-entrapped RV elicited improved and long-lasting IgA and IgG antibody response in serum detected by ELISA in comparison to the free RV antigen. This study shows that 4-arm-PEG is an effective initiator for the ring-opening polymerization of Lac-OCA by DMAP as an initiator and that the resulting polymer is useful as a delivery system for the rotavirus vaccine.

Biodegradable polymer–platinum drug conjugates to overcome platinum drug resistance

Biodegradable polymers with pendent pair-wised carboxylic acids but lacking sulfur were used to chelate oxaliplatin prodrug which self-assembled into micelles in water for drug delivery.