Hyperbranched poly (amine‐ester)‐poly (lactide‐co‐glycolide) copolymer and their nanoparticles as paclitaxel delivery system

A new hyperbranched poly (amine‐ester)‐poly (lactide‐co‐glycolide) copolymer (HPAE‐co‐PLGA) was synthesized by ring‐opening polymerization of D , L ‐lactide (DLLA) glycolid and branched poly (amine‐ester) (HPAE‐OHs) with Sn(Oct)₂ as catalyst. The chemical structures of copolymers were determined by FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR(¹³C NMR), TGA and their molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Paclitaxel‐loaded copolymer nanoparticles were prepared by the nanoprecipitation method. Their physicochemical characteristics, e.g. morphology and nanoparticles size distribution were then evaluated by means of fluorescence spectroscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Paclitaxel‐loaded nanoparticles assumed a spherical shape and have unimodal size distribution. It was found that the chemical composition of the nanoparticles was a key factor in controlling nanoparticles size, drug‐loading content, and drug release behavior. As the molar ratio of DL ‐lactide/glycolide to HPAE increased, the nanoparticles size and drug‐loading content increased, and the drug release rate decreased. The antitumor activity of the paclitaxel‐loaded HPAE‐co‐PLGA nanoparticles against human liver cancer H7402 cells was evaluated by 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The paclitaxel‐loaded HPAE‐co‐PLGA nanoparticles showed comparable anticancer efficacy with the free drug. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Photoacoustic Imaging Quantifies Drug Release from Nanocarriers via Redox Chemistry of Dye‐Labeled Cargo

We report a new approach to monitor drug release from nanocarriers via a paclitaxel–methylene blue conjugate (PTX‐MB) with redox activity. This construct is in a photoacoustically silent reduced state inside poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (PTX‐MB@PLGA NPs). During release, PTX‐MB is spontaneously oxidized to produce a concentration‐dependent photoacoustic signal. An in vitro drug‐release study showed an initial burst release (25 %) between 0–24 h and a sustained release between 24–120 h with a cumulative release of 40.6 % and a 670‐fold increase in photoacoustic signal. An in vivo murine drug release showed a photoacoustic signal enhancement of up to 649 % after 10 hours. PTX‐MB@PLGA NPs showed an IC₅₀ of 78 μg mL^?1 and 44.7±4.8 % decrease of tumor burden in an orthotopic model of colon cancer via luciferase‐positive CT26 cells.     

Effect of the Folate Ligand Density on the Targeting Property of Folated‐Conjugated Polymeric Nanoparticles

Targeted drug delivery systems have attracted increasing attention due to their ability for delivering anticancer drugs selectively to tumor cells. Folic acid (FA)‐conjugated targeted block copolymers, FA‐Pluronic‐polycaprolactone (FA‐Pluronic‐PCL) are synthesized in this study. The anticancer drug paclitaxel (PTX) is loaded in FA‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles by nanoprecipitation method. The in vitro release of PTX from FA‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles shows slow and sustained release behaviors. The effect of FA ligand density of FA‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles on their targeting properties is examined by both cytotoxicity and fluorescence methods. It is shown that FA‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles indicated better targeting ability than non‐targeted PCL‐Pluronic‐PCL nanoparticles. Furthermore, FA‐F127‐PCL nanoparticle with 10% FA molar content has more effective antitumor activity and higher cellular uptake than those with 50% and 91% FA molar content. These results prove that FA‐F127‐PCL nanoparticle with 10% FA molar content can be a better candidate as the drug carrier in targeted drug delivery systems.     

Stem cell membrane vesicle–coated nanoparticles for efficient tumor‐targeted therapy of orthotopic breast cancer

Nanoparticles‐based drug delivery strategies have been widely researched for cancer therapy. However, most of them are expected to accumulate in tumor sites via the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, which is insufficient to deliver the loaded drug into tumors. Cell membrane–camouflaged nanoparticles have obtained much attention for their excellent stability and long blood circulation and reduced the macrophage cells uptake in drug delivery. Herein, bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cell membrane vesicle (SCV)–coated paclitaxel (PTX)–loaded poly (lactide‐co‐glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles (SCV/PLGA/PTX) were fabricated as the efficient orthotopic breast cancer–targeted drug delivery system. The SCV/PLGA/PTX showed excellent stability, more controlled PTX release, and more effective antitumor effect in vitro. After administration in vivo, SCV/PLGA/PTX exhibited the long‐term retention and enhanced accumulation at tumor sites due to the immune escape and mesenchymal stem cell–mimicking cancer‐targeting capacity. As expected, the SCV/PLGA/PTX could significantly suppress the primary tumor growth by increased apoptosis and necrosis areas within tumor tissues and attenuated the toxic side effects of PTX in 4T1 orthotopic breast cancer model. The study indicated the mesenchymal stem cell membrane coating strategy was highly efficient for targeted drug delivery, which provided a new insight for precise and effective breast cancer treatment.     

Stimuli‐responsive zein‐based nanoparticles as a potential carrier for ellipticine: Synthesis,release, and in vitro delivery

In the present research, we have investigated a drug delivery system based on the pH‐responsive behaviors of zein colloidal nanoparticles coated with sodium caseinate (SC) and poly ethylene imine (PEI). These systematically designed nanoparticles were used as nanocarriers for encapsulation of ellipticine (EPT), as an anticancer drug. SC and PEI coatings were applied through electrostatic adsorption, leading to the increased size and improved polydispersity index of nanoparticles as well as sustained release of drug. Physicochemical characteristics such as hydrodynamic diameter, size distribution, zeta potential and morphology of nanoparticles prepared using different formulations and conditions were also determined. Based on the results, EPT was encapsulated into the prepared nanoparticles with a high drug loading capacity (5.06%) and encapsulation efficiency (94.8%) under optimal conditions. in vitro experiments demonstrated that the release of EPT from zein‐based nanoparticles was pH sensitive. When the pH level decreased from 7.4 to 5.5, the rate of drug release was considerably enhanced. The mechanism of pH‐responsive complexation in the drug encapsulation and release processes was extensively investigated. The pH‐dependent electrostatic interactions and drug state were hypothesized to affect the release profiles. Compared to the EPT‐loaded zein/PEI nanoparticles, the EPT‐loaded zein/SC nanoparticles exhibited a better drug sustained‐release profile, with a smaller initial burst release and longer release period. According to the results of in vitro cytotoxicity experiments, drug‐free nanoparticles were associated with a negligible cytotoxicity, whereas the EPT‐loaded nanoparticles displayed a high toxicity for the cancer cell line, A549. Our findings indicate that these pH‐sensitive protein‐based nanoparticles can be used as novel nanotherapeutic tools and potential antineoplastic drug carriers for cancer chemotherapy with controlled release.     

Biodegradable and thermosensitive micelles of amphiphilic polyaspartamide derivatives containing aromatic groups for drug delivery

The preparation, characterization, release, and in vitro cytotoxicity of a biodegradable polymeric micellar formulation of paclictaxel (PTX) were investigated. The micelles based on thermosensitive and degradable amphiphilic polyaspartamide derivatives containing pendant aromatic structures (phe‐g‐PHPA‐g‐mPEG) were prepared by a quick heating method without using toxic organic solvent. Dynamic light‐scattering results show that the micelles are stable upon dilution under physiological conditions and the destabilization of the micelles is pH‐dependent and the phe‐g‐PHPA‐g‐mPEG polymers are biodegradable. PTX was loaded into the phe‐g‐PHPAs‐g‐mPEG micelles with encapsulation efficiency of >90%, resulting in a high drug loading content (up to 29%). PTX‐loaded micelles had a mean size around 70 nm with narrow size distribution (polydispersity index, <0.1). The PTX‐loaded micelles showed sustained drug release and obvious anticancer activity similar to Taxol against HepG2 cells, whereas blank micelles were nontoxic. The present results suggest that the thermosensitive and biodegradable phe‐g‐PHPA‐g‐mPEG micelles are a promising delivery system for the hydrophobic drugs. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3917–3924     

Facile Fabrication of Thermo‐Responsive and Reduction‐Sensitive Polymeric Micelles for Anticancer Drug Delivery

The development of thermo‐responsive and reduction‐sensitive polymeric micelles based on an amphiphilic block copolymer poly[(PEG‐MEMA)‐co‐(Boc‐Cyst‐MMAm)]‐block‐PEG (denoted PEG‐P‐SS‐HP) for the intracellular delivery of anticancer drugs is reported. PTX, as model drug, was loaded into the PEG‐P‐SS‐HP micelles with an encapsulation efficiency >90%, resulting in a high drug loading content (up to 35 wt%). The PTX‐loaded PEG‐P‐SS‐HP micelles show slow drug release in PBS and rapid release after incubation with DTT. The PTX‐loaded micelles display a better cytotoxic effect than the free drug, whereas empty micelles are found to be non‐toxic. The thermo‐responsive and reduction‐sensitive polymeric micelles described may serve as promising carriers for cytostatic drugs.

     

Octahydrogenated retinoic acid‐conjugated glycol chitosan nanoparticles as a novel carrier of azadirachtin: Synthesis,characterization, and in vitro evaluation

Environment‐friendly and controlled release formulation is highly promising for reducing environmental pollution and achieving the most effective utilization of pesticides. As a novel “green” nanocarrier of pesticides, amphiphilic self‐assembled nanoparticles were prepared by chemical conjugation of octahydrogenated retinoic acid (OR) to the backbone of glycol chitosan (GC). In aqueous media, the synthesized OR‐GC conjugates formed nanosized particles with a diameter of 257 nm. Hydrophobic azadirachtin (AZA) was efficiently loaded into the OR‐GC nanoparticles at a feed weight ratio of up to 1:4 using a simple dialysis method, the maximum drug‐loading efficiency of which was 74%. AZA‐OR‐GC (25 wt %) nanoparticles also showed sustained release of the incorporated AZA (65% of the loaded dose was released in 7 days at 27 °C in phosphate‐buffered saline; pH 7.2). Cytotoxicity tests and cell cycle arrest assays confirmed that OR‐GC exhibits good biocompatibility; AZA‐OR‐GC (25 wt %) nanoparticles also showed favorable inhibition of cell proliferation in Sl‐1 cells compared with free AZA in organic solvents. Overall, controlled release AZA‐OR‐GC may be a promising environment‐friendly formulation for integrated pest management. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2013 , 51, 3932–3940     

Development of disulfide core-crosslinked pluronic nanoparticles as an effective anticancer-drug-delivery system

Thiolated Pluronic (Plu‐SH) nanoparticles are developed as potential articulate, target‐specific anticancer‐drug carriers for intracellular drug release triggered by the difference in redox potential in tumor cells. The cores of the micelles are formed by the disulfide bonds of the functionalized Pluronic F127, when dissolved in an aqueous solution. The nanoparticles are 95.6 ± 18.6 nm in size, and 235.6 ± 63.7 nm after encapsulation of the hydrophobic drug molecules. The drug‐loaded micelles show effective stability in blood‐plasma conditions and the kinetics of micelle stability and drug release are shown. Paclitaxel‐loaded micelles display approximately 39% cell viability in A549 cells.

     

pH‐sensitive carbon quantum dots−doxorubicin nanoparticles for tumor cellular targeted drug delivery

A kind of pH‐responsive carbon quantum dots?doxorubicin nanoparticles drug delivery platform (D‐Biotin/DOX‐loaded mPEG‐OAL/N‐CQDs) was designed and synthesized. The system consists of fluorescent carbon dots as cross‐linkers, and D‐Biotin worked as targeting groups, which made the system have a pH correspondence, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) as the target drug, oxidized sodium alginate (OAL) as carrier materials. Ultraviolet (UV)‐Vis spectrum showed that the drug‐loading rate of DOX is 10.5%, and the drug release in vitro suggested that the system had a pH response and tumor cellular targeted, the drug release rate is 65.6% at the value of pH is 5.0, which is much higher than that at the value of pH is 7.4. The cytotoxicity test and laser confocal fluorescence imaging showed that the synthesized drug delivery system has high cytotoxicity to cancer cells, and the drug‐loaded nanoparticles could enter the cells through endocytosis.     

Integrated Hollow Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Target Drug/siRNA Co‐Delivery

A hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticle (HMSNP) based drug/siRNA co‐delivery system was designed and fabricated, aiming at overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR) in cancer cells for targeted cancer therapy. The as‐prepared HMSNPs have perpendicular nanochannels connecting to the internal hollow cores, thereby facilitating drug loading and release. The extra volume of the hollow core enhances the drug loading capacity by two folds as compared with conventional mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs). Folic acid conjugated polyethyleneimine (PEI‐FA) was coated on the HMSNP surfaces under neutral conditions through electrostatic interactions between the partially charged amino groups of PEI‐FA and the phosphate groups on the HMSNP surfaces, blocking the mesopores and preventing the loaded drugs from leakage. Folic acid acts as the targeting ligand that enables the co‐delivery system to selectively bind with and enter into the target cancer cells. PEI‐FA‐coated HMSNPs show enhanced siRNA binding capability on account of electrostatic interactions between the amino groups of PEI‐FA and siRNA, as compared with that of MSNPs. The electrostatic interactions provide the feasibility of pH‐controlled release. In vitro pH‐responsive drug/siRNA co‐delivery experiments were conducted on HeLa cell lines with high folic acid receptor expression and MCF‐7 cell lines with low folic acid receptor expression for comparison, showing effective target delivery to the HeLa cells through folic acid receptor meditated cellular endocytosis. The pH‐responsive intracellular drug/siRNA release greatly minimizes the prerelease and possible side effects of the delivery system. By simultaneously delivering both doxorubicin (Dox) and siRNA against the Bcl‐2 protein into the HeLa cells, the expression of the anti‐apoptotic protein Bcl‐2 was successfully suppressed, leading to an enhanced therapeutic efficacy. Thus, the present multifunctional nanoparticles show promising potentials for controlled and targeted drug and gene co‐delivery in cancer treatment.     

Synthesis and characterization of folic acid‐modified carboxymethyl chitosan‐ursolic acid targeted nano‐drug carrier for the delivery of ursolic acid and 10‐hydroxycamptothecin

Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), as a water‐soluble, biocompatible, and biodegradable polymer, is an excellent carrier for a sustained drug delivery system. In this study, a amphiphilic carboxymethyl chitosan‐ursolic acid nano‐drug carrier modified by folic acid (FPCU) were prepared, and then the nano‐drug carrier wrapped another anticancer drug 10‐hydroxycamptothecin were self‐assembled into nanoparticles (FPCU/HCPT NPs). The FPCU/HCPT NPs had a suitable size, high drug loading efficiency of ursolic acid (6.4%) and 10‐hydroxycamptothecin (14.1%). The drug release study in vitro indicated that the nanoparticles have obviously sustained effect and pH sensitive behaviors, the drug release amount was higher at pH 5.5 than at pH 7.4. in vitro and in vivo study showed that the nanoparticles displayed a high antitumor efficiency to tumor cells compared with free drug. The nano delivery system as a carrier for ursolic acid (UA) and 10‐hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) has good application prospects in cancer treatment.     

Chemical synthesis of MnFe2O4/chitosan nanocomposites for controlled release of ofloxacin drug

In this study, we synthesized ofloxacin‐loaded MnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) surface modified with chitosan (CS‐MnFe₂O₄) for prolonged antibiotic release in a controlled manner. It was found that the synthesized CS‐MnFe₂O₄ was spherical in shape with an average size of 30–50 nm, low aggregation, and good magnetic responsibility. An in vitro drug loading and release kinetics study reveals that the drug delivery system can take 86% of drug load and can release ofloxacin over a sustained period of 3 days. The release kinetics study reveals that the drug follows zero order kinetics and the mechanism of drug release is diffusion‐controlled type. These results indicated that CS‐MnFe₂O₄ NPs with pH‐sensitive properties can be used as candidates for intestinal targeted drug delivery through oral administration by avoiding the drug release in the highly acidic gastric fluid region of the stomach.     

In situ forming PLGA implant for 90 days controlled release of leuprolide acetate for treatment of prostate cancer

In prostate cancer, hormone therapy via leuprolide acetate drug (LUP) is used to lower the level of testosterone down to castration level to effectively control the development of prostate cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effective parameters in degradation and controlled release of an injectable in situ formed polymeric implant, loaded with leuprolide acetate, in order to achieve an optimum formulation for sustained drug release for 90 days with minimum burst release. The main problem associating with such implants is their high burst release. Designing an injectable implant with sustained and minimum burst release has thus become an attractive challenge in drug delivery field. Effects of type of poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) 75:25 copolymers (RG752, RG756) and addition of nano‐hydroxyapatite (HA) particles on degradation rates of the implants and release profiles were examined in vitro and in vivo in a rabbit animal model. Results showed that implants containing polymers with higher molecular weights had significantly lower weight loss and molecular weight reduction. Adding nanoparticles of hydroxyapatite into poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) implants caused further reduction in degradation rates, leading to a more sustained drug release in vivo, with reduced burst release. Different conventional kinetic models were applied to drug release and degradation data. The degradation data fit well to the first‐order degradation model. Higuchi model was the best kinetic release model fitted to the experimental in vitro release data. This study led to an optimum formulation (RG756:RG752 3:1 + 5% HA) with sustained leuprolide release and testosterone suppression over a 90‐day period with significant decrease of burst release phase (50%, p < 0.001) compared with the conventional Eligard formulation. The histopathology test showed that the formulated implant had no effects of toxicity or tissue necrosis in organs of the animal model. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biocompatible Triplex Ag@SiO2@mTiO2 Core–Shell Nanoparticles for Simultaneous Fluorescence‐SERS Bimodal Imaging and Drug Delivery

Herein, we report the synthesis of biocompatible triplex Ag@SiO₂@mTiO₂ core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) for simultaneous fluorescence‐surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (F‐SERS) bimodal imaging and drug delivery. Stable Raman signals were created by typical SERS tags that were composed of Ag NPs for optical enhancement, a reporter molecule of 4‐mercaptopyridine (4‐Mpy) for a spectroscopic signature, and a silica shell for protection. A further coating of mesoporous titania (mTiO₂) on the SERS tags offered high loading capacity for a fluorescence dye (flavin mononucleotide) and an anti‐cancer drug (doxorubicin (DOX)), thereby endowing the material with fluorescence‐imaging and therapeutic functions. The as‐prepared F‐SERS dots exhibited strong fluorescence when excited by light at 460 nm whilst a stable, characteristic 4‐Mpy SERS signal was detected when the excitation wavelength was changed to longer wavelength (632.8 nm), both in solution and after incorporation inside living cells. Their excellent biocompatibility was demonstrated by low cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 cells, even at a high concentration of 100 μg mL^?1. In vitro cell cytotoxicity confirmed that DOX‐loaded F‐SERS dots had a comparable or even greater therapeutic effect compared with the free drug, owing to the increased cell‐uptake, which was attributed to the possible endocytosis mechanism of the NPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first proof‐of‐concept investigation on a multifunctional nanomedicine that possessed a combined capacity for fast and multiplexed F‐SERS labeling as well as drug‐loading for cancer therapy.     

Acetazolamide‐Loaded pH‐Responsive Nanoparticles Alleviating Tumor Acidosis to Enhance Chemotherapy Effects

Carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX), over‐expressed on cancer cells, catalyzes CO₂ to bicarbonate and protons, contributing to the acidic extracellular pH (pHe), which enhances the multidrug resistance of tumor cells. Therefore, alleviating tumor acidosis would greatly improve the outcome of chemotherapy. This work fabricates acetazolamide (ACE)‐loaded pH‐responsive nanoparticles (ACE‐NPs), which are quickly disintegrated in an acidic solution (pH 6.8), resulting in a quick release of ACE from these NPs to inhibit the expression of CA IX, thus up‐regulating the pHe value. These ACE‐NPs have no obvious in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo studies confirm the accumulation of ACE‐NPs in tumor tissue. In addition, mice treated with ACE and paclitaxel (PTX) co‐loaded NPs show a smaller tumor size and a higher survival rate when compared to that of mice treated with ACE‐ or PTX‐loaded NPs. This work reveals that simultaneous delivery of ACE and chemotherapy agents to tumor tissue can up‐regulate the acidic pHe value, consequently enhancing the anti‐tumor ability of chemotherapy medicine. These findings open a new window for enhancing the anti‐tumor ability of traditional chemotherapy in clinic.     

Preparation and Stability Evaluation of Size‐Controllable PDHCA‐β‐CD Nanoparticles as Drug Carrier

A novel biocompatible polymer was prepared by grafting the derivate of β ‐cyclodextrin (6‐SH ‐β ‐CD ) onto poly(3,4‐dihydroxycinnamic acid) (PDHCA ) via Michael addition. PDHCA ‐β ‐CD nanoparticles were prepared by the self‐assembly of amphiphilic PDHCA ‐β ‐CD polymer with N,N ‐dimethylformamide (DMF ) as good solvent and water as poor solvent. The PDHCA ‐β ‐CD nanoparticles were monodispersed with spherical morphology as shown in the scanning electron microscopic (SEM ) images in accord with the result of dynamic light scattering (DLS ) measurement. The size of the nanoparticles could be controlled from 60 to 180 nm by tuning the grafting degree (GD ) of PDHCA ‐β ‐CD polymer and also significantly influenced by the amount of water used during the process. These as‐prepared nanoparticles were stable without any significant change in the particle size after six‐months’ storage and even after being irradiated by UV at λ >280 nm for hours. The formation mechanism of PDHCA ‐β ‐CD nanoparticles was explored. The content of doxorubicin (DOX ) loaded onto the nanoparticles was up to 39% with relatively high loading efficiency (approximately 78.8% of initial DOX introduced was loaded). In vitro release studies suggested that DOX released slowly from PDHCA ‐β ‐CD nanoparticles. These features strongly support the potential of developing PDHCA ‐β ‐CD nanoparticles as carriers for the controlled delivery of drug.     

pH‐responsive near‐infrared emitting conjugated polymer nanoparticles for cellular imaging and controlled‐drug delivery

In this article, pH‐responsive near‐infrared emitting conjugated polymer nanoparticles (CPNs) are prepared, characterized, and their stabilities are investigated under various conditions. These nanoparticles have capacity to be loaded with water insoluble, anticancer drug, camptothecin (CPT), with around 10% drug loading efficiency. The in vitro release studies demonstrate that the release of CPTs from CPNs is pH‐dependent such that significantly faster drug release at mildly acidic pH of 5.0 compared with physiological pH 7.4 is observed. Time and dose‐dependent in vitro cytotoxicity tests of blank and CPT‐loaded nanoparticles are performed by real‐time cell electronic sensing (RT‐CES) assay with hepatocellular carcinoma cells (Huh7). The results indicate that CPNs can be effectively utilized as vehicles for pH‐triggered release of anticancer drugs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015 , 53, 114–122     

Novel ‘Nano in Nano’ Composites for Sustained Drug Delivery: Biodegradable Nanoparticles Encapsulated into Nanofiber Non‐Wovens

Novel ‘nano in nano’ composites consisting of biodegradable polymer nanoparticles incorporated into polymer nanofibers may efficiently modulate drug delivery. This is shown here using a combination of model compound‐loaded biodegradable nanoparticles encapsulated in electrospun fibers. The dye coumarin 6 is used as model compound for a drug in order to simulate drug release from loaded poly(lactide‐co‐glycolide) nanoparticles. Dye release from the nanoparticles occurs immediately in aqueous solution. Dye‐loaded nanoparticles which are encapsulated by electrospun polymer nanofibers display a significantly retarded release.

     

Drug-loaded and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle surface-embedded amphiphilic block copolymer micelles for integrated chemotherapeutic drug delivery and MR imaging

We report on the fabrication of organic/inorganic hybrid micelles of amphiphilic block copolymers physically encapsulated with hydrophobic drugs within micellar cores and stably embedded with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles within hydrophilic coronas, which possess integrated functions of chemotherapeutic drug delivery and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging contrast enhancement. Poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(glycerol monomethacrylate), PCL-b-PGMA, and PCL-b-P(OEGMA-co-FA) amphiphilic block copolymers were synthesized at first by combining ring-opening polymerization (ROP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and post- modification techniques, where OEGMA and FA are oligo(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate and folic acid-bearing moieties, respectively. A model hydrophobic anticancer drug, paclitaxel (PTX), and 4 nm SPIO nanoparticles were then loaded into micellar cores and hydrophilic coronas, respectively, of mixed micelles fabricated from PCL-b-PGMA and PCL-b-P(OEGMA-co-FA) diblock copolymers by taking advantage of the hydrophobicity of micellar cores and strong affinity between 1,2-diol moieties in PGMA and Fe atoms at the surface of SPIO nanoparticles. The controlled and sustained release of PTX from hybrid micelles was achieved, exhibiting a cumulative release of ~61% encapsulated drugs (loading content, 8.5 w/w%) over ~130 h. Compared to that of surfactant-stabilized single SPIO nanoparticles (r(2) = 28.3 s(-1) mM(-1) Fe), the clustering of SPIO nanoparticles within micellar coronas led to considerably enhanced T(2) relaxivity (r(2) = 121.1 s(-1) mM(-1) Fe), suggesting that hybrid micelles can serve as a T(2)-weighted MR imaging contrast enhancer with improved performance. Moreover, preliminary experiments of in vivo MR imaging were also conducted. These results indicate that amphiphilic block copolymer micelles surface embedded with SPIO nanoparticles at the hydrophilic corona can act as a new generation of nanoplatform integrating targeted drug delivery, controlled release, and disease diagnostic functions.