GSH-sensitive polymeric prodrug: Synthesis and loading with photosensitizers as nanoscale chemo-photodynamic anti-cancer nanomedicine

• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.05.003
• Publication Date: 2021-05-15T15:41:18Z
• Authors: Lei Luo; Yiming Qi; Hong Zhong; Shinan Jiang; Hu Zhang; Hao Cai; Yahui Wu; Zhongwei Gu; Qiyong Gong; Kui Luo
• Keywords: 0301 basic medicine; Combinational therapy; 03 medical and health sciences; Nanomedicine; Polymeric prodrug; Original Article; Therapeutics. Pharmacology; RM1-950; Stimuli responsiveness; Photodynamic therapy; 3. Good health

Precisely delivering combinational therapeutic agents has become a crucial challenge for anti-tumor treatment. In this study, novel redox-responsive polymeric prodrug (molecular weight, MW: 93.5 kDa) was produced by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The amphiphilic block polymer-doxorubicin (DOX) employed to deliver hydrophobic photosensitizer (PS), chlorin e6 (Ce6), and the as-prepared nanoscale system [NPs(Ce6)] investigated as chemo-photodynamic anti-cancer agent. glutathione (GSH)-cleavable disulfide bond inserted into backbone of polymer biodegradation inside tumor cells, DOX conjugated onto with successfully released intracellularly. NPs(Ce6) Ce6 their original molecular structures degraded segments low MWs 41.2 kDa in presence GSH. showed effect kill 4T1 murine breast cancer which confirmed from collapsed cell morphology, lifted level intracellular reactive oxygen species, reduced viability induced apoptosis. Moreover, ex vivo fluorescence images indicated that retained tumor, exhibited remarkable anticancer efficacy. therapy significantly increased growth inhibition (TGI, 58.53%). Therefore, redox-responsive, could have great potential