New Paper alert! Congratulations Vinod and everyone involved in this team effort!

“pH-Responsive Micellar Nanoparticles for the Delivery of a Self-Amplifying ROS-Activatable Prodrug”
V. Kannaujiya, Y. Qiao, R. Sheikh, Y. Xue, T. Dargaville, K. Liang, P. R. Wich
Biomacromolecules, 2024, 25, 3, 1775–1789. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01240

🔬 Methodology: Our study focuses on innovating anticancer drug delivery using a new nanoparticle technology. By harnessing the potential of a novel amphiphilic biopolymer, we’ve successfully enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of the anticancer drug, camptothecin (CPT). Our approach involves designing a dimeric prodrug of CPT capable of self-amplification and responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS). This breakthrough was achieved by integrating the intracellular ROS generator cinnamaldehyde into a ROS-cleavable thioacetal (TA) linker, resulting in a dimeric prodrug of camptothecin.

To ensure its efficient delivery, we synthesized a pH-responsive block copolymer of acetalated dextran and poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) (AcDex-b-PEOz). This unique block copolymer facilitates self-assembly into micellar nanoparticles (NPs), enabling high prodrug loading capacity and rapid release under acidic conditions. Upon cellular uptake by HeLa cells, DCPT(TA)-loaded micellar NPs induce intracellular ROS generation, leading to accelerated prodrug activation and enhanced cytotoxicity. 

🚀 Conclusion and Impact: These promising results signify a significant advancement in prodrug delivery strategies for anticancer treatment and demonstrate the potential of nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. By fine-tuning the properties of nanocarriers and prodrugs, we aim to pave the way for more effective and targeted cancer treatments.

Read the full paper here [link]

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