Development of a polymer theranostic for prostate cancer

• DOI: 10.1039/c4py00999a
• Publication Date: 2014-09-05T00:15:49Z
• Authors: Amanda K. Pearce; Barbara E. Rolfe; Pamela J. Russell; Brian W.-C. Tse; Andrew K. Whittaker; Adrian V. Fuchs; Kristofer J. Thur...
• Keywords: 570; 1303 Biochemistry; 1502 Bioengineering; Polymer Science; 2204 Biomedical Engineering; 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 2507 Polymers and Plastics; 1605 Organic Chemistry; 3. Good health

Theranostics offers an improved treatment strategy for prostate cancer by facilitating simultaneous targeting of tumour cells with subsequent drug delivery and imaging. In this report we describe the synthesis hyperbranched polymers that are biocompatible, can specifically target be internalised (through prostate-specific membrane antigen – PSMA) ultimately facilitate controlled a model drug. The theranostic also incorporates far-red fluorescent dye allows tracking polymer via optical Controlled is achieved reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerisation polyethylene glycol monomethyl methacrylate, ethylene dimethacrylate as branching agent. Incorporation 20 mol% hydrazide-methacrylate monomer post-ligation drug, fluorene-2-carboxaldehyde, through hydrolytically-degradable hydrazone linkage. rate degradation particular linker was enhanced at endosomal pH (pH = 5.5) where ∼95% released in 4 hours compared to less than 5% over same period physiological pH. showed high uptake into expressing antigen, while minimal observed PC3 negative PSMA, highlighting efficacy ligand.