Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive polymersomes with site-specific chemotherapeutic delivery into tumors via spacer design chemistry.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive polymersomes with site-specific chemotherapeutic delivery into tumors via spacer design chemistry. Biomacromolecules. 2020 Feb 21;: Authors: Jager E, Sincari V, Albuquerque LJC, Jager A, Humajova J, Kucka J, Pankrac J, Paral P, Heizer T, Janoušková O, Konefal R, Pavlova E, Sedlacek O, Giacomelli FC, Pouckova P, Sefc L, Stepanek P, Hruby M Abstract The lack of cellular and tissue specificity in conventional chemotherapies along with the generation of a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) limit the dosage of active agents that reaches tumor sites thereby resulting in ineffective responses and side effects. Therefore, the development of selective TME responsive nanomedicines is of due relevance towards successful chemotherapies, albeit challenging. In this framework, we have synthesized novel, ready-to-use ROS-responsive amphiphilic block copolymers (BCs) with two different spacer chemistry designs to connect a hydrophobic boronic ester-based ROS sensor into the polymer backbone. Hydrodynamic flow focusing nanoprecipitation microfluidics (MF) was used in the preparation of well-defined ROS-responsive PSs there were further characterized by a combo of techniques (1H NMR, DLS, SLS, TEM and cryo-TEM). The reaction with hydrogen peroxide releases an amphiphilic phenol or a hydrophilic carboxylic acid which impacts polymersome (PS) stability and cargo release. Therefore, the importance of the space...
Source: Biomacromolecules - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: Biomacromolecules Source Type: research