Search

An α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS) containing diblock copolymer micellar system was used to deliver doxorubicin (Dox), an anticancer drug, for HCT116 colon cancer therapy. The α-TOS containing diblock copolymers were synthesized by conjugation of α-TOS molecules and a mPEG-b-PHEMA hydrophilic diblock copolymer by ester bonds. The Dox-loaded polymeric micelles were then obtained by solvent exchange process. In acidic surroundings such as endosomes or secondary lysosomes, the structures of the Dox-loaded polymeric micelles deformed and released the drug loads. Additionally, Dox-loaded polymeric micelles enhanced the cytotoxicity of Dox and α-TOS to cancer cells in vitro. Dox-loaded polymeric micelles also showed an exceptional tumor inhibiting effect in vivo. This study indicates that the α-TOS containing polymeric micelle system can be used as a drug carrier for cancer therapy., (Copyright © 2015 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

PEG-modified gold nanoparticles (PEG-modified GNs) with diameters of 40 nm and 70 nm were prepared to elucidate the effect of extent of PEG (M.W. 5000) grafting and particle size on tumor accumulation and cellular uptake. Flow cytometry reveals that cellular uptake is strongly related to the size of PEG-modified GNs, rather than the extent of PEG-5K grafting level. Cytotoxicity analysis based on the intracellular release of drugs showed that the 70 nm PEG-modified GNs have the higher cytotoxicity, beccause of their greater cellular uptake. Also, particle size, rather than PEG-5K grafting level affects tumor accumulation. However, PEG-5K grafting level significantly affects the accumulation of particles in the liver and spleen. This finding is important in determining the proper PEG-5K grafting level and particle size for designing nano-medicines., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)