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The novel self-assembling bottlebrush polyethylene glycol-polynorbornene-thiocresol block copolymers (PEG-PNB-TC) were synthesized by the ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), followed by functionalization of the polymer backbone via the thio-bromo "click" postpolymerization strategy. The PEG-PNB-TC copolymers could easily self-assemble into the nanoscale core-shell polymeric micelles. The hydrophobic anticancer drugs, such as paclitaxel (PTX), could be loaded into their hydrophobic core to form a stable drug-loaded micelle with a superior drug loading capacity of up to ∼35% (w/w). The sustained drug release behavior of the PEG-PNB-TC micelles was observed under a simulated "sink condition". Compared with commercial PTX formulation (Taxol), the PTX-loaded PEG-PNB-TC micelles showed the enhanced in vitro cellular uptake and comparable cytotoxicity in the drug-sensitive cancer cells, while the copolymers were much safer than Cremophor EL, the surfactant used in Taxol. Furthermore, curcumin (CUR), a natural chemotherapy drug sensitizer, was successfully coloaded with PTX into the PEG-PNB-TC micelles. High drug loading capacity of the PEG-PNB-TC micelles allowed for easy adjustment of drug doses and the ratio of the coloaded drugs. The combination of PTX and CUR showed synergistic anticancer effect in both the drug mixture and drug coloaded micelles at high CUR/PTX ratio, while low CRU/PTX ratio only exhibited additive effects. The combinatorial effects remarkably circumvented the PTX resistance in the multidrug resistant (MDR) cancer cells. Due to the easy polymerization and functionalization, excellent self-assembly capability, high drug loading capability, and great stability, the PEG-PNB-TC copolymers might be a promising nanomaterial for delivery of the hydrophobic anticancer drugs, especially for combination drug therapy.

Here, we report a self-assembled polymeric micellar immunomodulator (SPI) for enhanced cancer treatment based on cationic amphiphilic polymers. To obtain the cationic amphiphilic polymer, the hydrophobic all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) was conjugated with a hydrophilic low-molecular-weight PEI (LowPEI, Mn = 1.8 kDa). The ATRA-LowPEI conjugates could self-assemble in aqueous media, forming micelles with a strong positive charge (∼+40 mV) and particle sizes of ~70 nm. Compared to conventional therapeutic agents (e.g., cisplatin), the SPI exhibited enhanced anti-cancer activity regardless of drug resistance. After mechanistic in vitro cell death studies, we revealed that the mechanical disruptive force generated by the cationic charge of SPI primarily induced necrotic cell death. Furthermore, the organelle fragments induced by the necrotic cell death triggered antitumoral immune responses. Therefore, SPI induced synergistic effects of the cationic charge-induced necrosis and antitumoral immune responses could produce an effective cancer treatment. In addition, the SPI was shielded by hyaluronic acid (HA/SPI complex) to enhance its tumor selectivity in vivo. Finally, the HA/SPI complex accumulated selectively into tumor sites after systemic administration into tumor-bearing mice, exhibiting effective antitumoral effects without systemic toxicity. Therefore, this technology holds great potential for translation into a clinical cancer treatment., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A surface charge-switched polymeric micelle with a pH signal was developed as a drug-carrying nanovehicle for tumor targeting. The micelles (particle size: approximately 85 nm), constructed from poly(L-lactic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-lysine-N(epsilon)-(2,3-dimethyl maleic acid)) (PLA-b-PEG-b-PLys-DMA) and formed by self-assembly in an aqueous pH 7.4 solution, consisted of a hydrophobic core (PLA core) and two hydrophilic shells (PEG shell and PLys-DMA shell). An anionic charge can be built on the surface of the micelle at a physiological pH (approximately pH 7.4) due to 2,3-dimethyl maleic acid (DMA). However, DMA becomes chemically dissociated from the micelle under mild acidic conditions (pH 6.5-7.0) such as that found in solid tumors, which results in the formation of a cationic surface due to the poly(L-lysine) (PLys). This pH-triggered switch in surface charge may enhance cellular uptake of micelles to solid tumors, via an adsorptive endocytotic pathway due to the electrostatic interaction between micelles and cells. In addition, blending of the poly(L-histidine) (polyHis) into the hydrophobic core provides a mechanism for endosomal pH-triggered drug-release from the polymeric micelle. These combined properties of the polymeric micelle may aid in tumor-specific drug accumulation and allow it to be used as an effective treatment for tumors.

Purpose: To evaluate pH-sensitive mixed micelles for multidrug resistant (MDR) ovarian tumor targeting and optical imaging of solid tumors., Method: Doxorubicin (DOX) encapsulated pH-sensitive mixed micelles composed of poly(L-histidine)(MW 5K)-b-PEG(MW 2K) and poly(L-lactic acid)(3K)-b-PEG (2K)-folate (PHSM-f) were prepared. Folate receptor-mediated endocytosis, drug uptake, endosomal disruption and cell viability were investigated at the cellular level. For in vivo tumor growth inhibition tests, multidrug resistant ovarian A2780/DOX(R) xenografted nude mice were used. Optical imaging was performed by using a Cy5.5 fluorescence dye-labeled mixed micelle system. Cy5.5 fluorescence intensity at the tumor site was measured in KB epidermoid xenografted nude mice., Results: In vitro cell viability and drug distribution in the cytoplasm demonstrated the significantly superior efficacy of PHSM-f to free DOX and a control sample of DOX loaded pH-insensitive micelle composed of poly(L-lactic acid)(3K)-b-PEG(2K)/poly(L-lactic acid)(3K)-b-PEG(2K)-folate (80/20 wt/wt%) (PHIM-f). The mechanisms of these results were proved by folate receptor mediated endocytosis of micelle and endosomal disruption function by it. In addition, the optical imaging demonstrated the future application of the diagnositic area. PHSM-f inhibited the growth of multidrug resistant ovarian tumors efficiently in mice, with minimum weight loss., Conclusions: The pH-sensitive mixed micelle system demonstrates effective antitumor efficacy against the multidrug resistant ovarian tumor A2780/DOX(R).

As an alternative to cell specific cancer targeting strategies (which are often afflicted with the heterogeneity of cancer cells as with most biological systems), a novel polymeric micelle constitute of two block copolymers of poly(L-lactic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(L-histidine)-TAT (transactivator of transcription) and poly(L-histidine)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) was developed. The micelle formed via the dialysis method was approximately 95 nm in diameter and contained 15 wt.% of doxorubicin (DOX) by weight. The micelle surface hides TAT during circulation, which has the strong capability to translocate the micelle into cells, and exposes TAT at a slightly acidic tumor extracellular pH to facilitate the internalization process. The micelle core was engineered for disintegration in early endosomal pH of tumor cells, quickly releasing DOX. The ionization process of the block copolymers and ionized polymers assisted in disrupting the endosomal membrane. This processes permitted high DOX concentrations in the cytosol and its target site of the nucleus, thus increasing DOX potency in various wild and multidrug resistant (MDR) cell lines (3.8-8.8 times lower IC50 than free DOX, depending on cell line). When tested with the xenografted tumors of human ovarian tumor drug-resistant A2780/AD, human breast tumor drug-sensitive MCF-7, human lung tumor A549 and human epidermoid tumor KB in a nude mice model, all tumors significantly regressed in size by three bolus injections at a dose of DOX 10 mg equivalent/kg body per injection of DOX-loaded micelle at three day interval, while minimum weight loss was observed. This approach may replace the need for cell-specific antibodies or targeting ligands, thereby providing a general strategy for solid tumor targeting.

A novel pH-sensitive polymeric micellar system composed of poly(L-histidine)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymers was studied by dynamic/static light scattering, spectrofluorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The mixed micelles displayed ultra Ph Sensitivity Which Could Be Tuned By Varying The Mixing Ratio Of The Two Polymers. In Particular, Mixed Micelles Composed Of 25 Wt.% Poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) exhibited desirable pH dependency which could be used as a drug delivery system that selectively targeted the extracellular pH of acidic solid tumors. Micelles were quite stable from pH 7.4 to 7.0 but underwent a two-stage destabilization as pH decreased further. A significant increase in size and aggregation number was observed when pH dropped to 6.8. Further disruption of the micelle core eventually caused phase separation in the micelle core and dissociation of ionized poly(L-histidine)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) molecules from the micelles as pH decreased to 6.0. Increased electrostatic repulsions which arise from the progressive protonation of imidazole rings overwhelming the hydrophobic interactions among uncharged neutral blocks is considered to be the mechanism for destabilization of the micelle core.

Polymeric micelles were constructed from poly(l-lactic acid) (PLA; M(n) 3K)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG; M(n) 2K)-b-poly(l-histidine) (polyHis; M(n) 5K) as a tumor pH-specific anticancer drug carrier. Micelles (particle diameter: approximately 80 nm; critical micelle concentration (CMC): 2 microg/ml) formed by dialysis of the polymer solution in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) against pH 8.0 aqueous solution, are assumed to have a flower-like assembly of PLA and polyHis blocks in the core and PEG block as the shell. The pH-sensitivity of the micelles originates from the deformation of the micellar core due to the ionization of polyHis at a slightly acidic pH. However, the co-presence of pH-insensitive lipophilic PLA block in the core prevented disintegration of the micelles and caused swelling/aggregation. A fluorescence probe study showed that the polarity of pyrene retained in the micelles increased as pH was decreased from 7.4 to 6.6, indicating a change to a more hydrophilic environment in the micelles. Considering that the size increased up to 580 nm at pH 6.6 from 80 nm at pH 7.4 and that the transmittance of micellar solution increased with decreasing pH, the micelles were not dissociated but rather swollen/aggregated. Interestingly, the subsequent decline of pyrene polarity below pH 6.6 suggested re-self-assembly of the block copolymers, most likely forming a PLA block core while polyHis block relocation to the surface. Consequently, these pH-dependent physical changes of the PLA-b-PEG-b-polyHis micelles provide a mechanism for triggered drug release from the micelles triggered by the small change in pH (pH 7.2-6.5).

In this study, a novel drug-carrying micelle composed of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG)- b-poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) with gas-forming carbonate linkage was fabricated. Here, the gas-forming carbonate linkage was formed by the chemical coupling of the terminal hydroxyl group of the PLLA block and benzyl chloroformate (BC). mPEG- b-PLLA-BC was self-organized in aqueous solution: the PEG block on the hydrophilic outer shell and the PLLA-BC block in the hydrophoboic innor core. The cleavage of carbonate linkage by hydrolysis and formation of carbon dioxide nanobubbles in the micellar core enabled an accelerated release of the encapsulated anticancer drug (doxorubicin: DOX) from the mPEG- b-PLLA-BC micelles. The amount of drug (DOX) released from the mPEG- b-PLLA-BC micelle was higher than that from the conventional mPEG- b-PLLA micelle, which allowed for increased in vitro toxicity against KB tumor cells. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Multimeric grain-marked micelles consisting of an inner core micelle (for Fe3O4 encapsulation) and outer multi-grain micelles (for chlorin e6 (Ce6, a model drug) encapsulation) were fabricated using a micelle-to-micelle conjugation method. Grain micelles (mono-thiol functionalized micelles) were chemically linked to the surface of the core micelle (multi-maleimide functionalized micelle). These micelles enable discrete compartments for Ce6 and iron oxide (Fe3O4) that enable a significantly increased in vivo photodynamic tumor inhibition while preserving high contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the tumor in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A doxorubicin (DOX)-carrier micellar system consisting of poly(histidine)(5K)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)(2K) and poly(l-lactic acid)(3K)-b-PEG(2K)-folate has been developed targeting the early endosomal pH and it have been convincingly proved that intracellular high dose strategy using such micelles is effective in overcoming multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells. Due to the low DOX concentrations in the micelle solution obtained by dialysis and the lack of long-term stability of the micelles, stable and lyophilized micelle formulations were the subject of investigation reported here by using excipients of sucrose, PEG or Pluronic. The reconstituted micelle solutions were examined by particle size, pH sensitivity, and cytotoxicity for MDR cells and the results were compared with the non-lyophilized micelles. Among tested excipients, Pluronic F127 (33wt%) added to the polymer/drug solution prior to dialysis resulted in a reconstituted product stable for a week and presented equivalent benefits as the fresh micelle formulation. The blank micelles did not present any apparent systemic toxicity in mice up to 2400mg/kg i.v. injection (800mg/(kgday) for 3 days). The brief toxicity of reconstituted DOX loaded micelles was examined by the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), which was approximately 7.5-fold higher than free DOX and guaranteeing further animal toxicity and efficacy study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]